The 2014/15 Vodacom Lesotho Premier League programme explodes into life on Saturday (23 August), marking the beginning of what promises to be an explosive football season.
With the league’s 14 teams battling-it-out not just for the winners’ prize of M200 000, but also pride, fans should expect nothing but first-class football up to the last fixture of the season in May next year.
The Lesotho Times Senior Sports Reporter, Mikia Kalati, puts his head on the block by predicting the outcome of the 2014/15 season, and giving reasons why. The teams are in order of their positions last season, while the Premier League newcomers are profiled at the end of the feature.
Bantu: The Mafeteng-based outfit won their first ever Premier League championship last season and would be hoping to make it two back-to-back titles in 2014/15. Bantu are still under Motlatsi Shale, who coached the team to their maiden league title in 87 years. It was all smiles in Mafeteng last season as the former national team (Likuena) striker steered A Matšo Matebele to the coveted double of league and Independence Cup glory. However, despite having some of Lesotho’s top players, Shale had still indicated he wanted a few more quality players to reinforce his squad and the arrival of Katleho Lethabela and Kholuoe Phasumane from the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) could be what Bantu needed ahead of a tough season that would also see them playing in the 2015 African Champions League. Bantu have also re-signed striker Litšepe Marabe from South African first division side Garankuwa United.
Prediction for 2014/15:A Matšo Matebele remain one of the most organised outfits in the country and are, once again, expected to be the team to beat this season. However, their main challenge could come from playing in the Champions League and also how they handle the discord with players over salaries, which could cost them the title and see them end the season as runners-up.
Key players: Tlali Maile, Tšoloane Mosakeng, Tsebang Lebata. New signings: Litšepe Marabe, Katleho Lethabela, Kholuoe Phasumane. League titles: One.
Lioli: Tse Nala finished second to Bantu last season, but still managed to win the LNIG Top 8 title. The chopping and changing in the coaching department did not help the team’s cause as Lioli seemed to be losing it in the dressing room despite having a very talented squad. In Mosholu ‘Shoes’ Mokhothu, Lioli have one of the most experienced coaches in the country, having led Lioli to their first league title in 24 years during the 2008/09 season, and also guiding LCS to back-to-back league titles after that historic feat. Mokhothu has the most experienced squad on paper, with nine of his players full internationals and regulars for Likuena. However, fatigue could prove to be Lioli’s undoing due to their involvement with Likuena, who are taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.
Prediction: Tse Nala have a balanced squad and are favourites for the league title alongside Bantu. But they might have a slight edge over Bantu and take the title.
Key players: Bushy Moletsane, Tšoanelo Koetle, Mohau Kuenane. New signing: Mkhwanazi Mkhwanazi. League titles: Three.
Linare: Tse Talawere very unlucky not to have won any tournament last season. Linare only lost once in the second round of last season and also lost to Lioli in the final of the LNIG Top 8 tournament. Freese Ntene is one of the most promising young coaches in the country and managed to guide Linare to third place last season, behind Bantu and Lioli. If Linare can hold on to their star player, Mabuti Potloane, until the transfer-window closes at the end of this month, then their chances of challenging for silverware are very high.
Prediction:Linare are likely to end the season in third position once again.
Key players: Mabuti Potloane, Lebajoa Mosehlenyane, Dyke Tšiu. New signings: Thabo Mafoso, Khubetsoana Kamele, Basia Letuka. League titles: Three.
Matlama: Tse Putsoa will be aiming to improve from last season’s fourth-position finish and have looked convincing in some of their pre-season matches. However, the team’s only setback is the departure of long-serving captain, Nkau Lerotholi, who has joined South African first division side, Garankuwa United. Ndebele ‘Tata’ Taole—the club’s former goalkeeper—is back at the club as head-coach and has always enjoyed success each time he has coached the team. Taole was in charge of Matlama when they last won the league title in 2010, and he would be hoping to lead the country’s most successful club to its glory days again.
Prediction:The departure of Lerotholi leaves a big gap at the club, and even the arrival of Taole might not be enough to bring the team its 10th league title. After finishing fourth last season, the team looks likely to fare worse this term and end the season in fifth position.
Key players: Phafa Tšosane, Pali Tšalong, Lisema Lebokollane. New signings: Tšeliso Ramathe, Makhetha Thakeli. League titles: Nine.
Likhopo: The Red Armyhas, over the past three seasons, failed to live up to expectations, and management is now hoping the arrival of no-nonsense coach, Motheo Mohapi, would be the answer to this underperformance. Thapelo Tale and Lehlomela Ramabele will be very key to the team now that it looks like they won’t be leaving for greener pastures in South Africa.
Prediction:The arrival of Mohapi could see Likhopo realise their potential, but still won’t be good enough to win their third league title this season. However, Likhopo look likely to end in fourth position, which would be a slight improvement from their fifth-placing of last season.
Key players: Thapelo Tale, Lehlomela Ramabele, Kananelo Makhooane. New signings: Tšeliso Tale, Tefo Maipato. League titles: Two.
Lesotho Defence Force (LDF): The army side has failed to reproduce the outstanding performance of yesteryear, when they used to dominate domestic football. Club legend, Malefetsane Pheko, starts the season as head-coach, after taking over the reins mid-season last term.
Prediction: LDF need to reinforce their ageing squad in order to keep pace with the country’s big guns in the battle for honours. The soldiers are likely to end the season in seventh position due to their failure to buy or groom younger players after finishing sixth last term.
Key players:Mojela Letsie, Molefe Lekoekoe and Janefeke Molibeli. League titles: Eight.
Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS): Masheshenahave looked lively in pre-season friendly matches after injecting young blood into their squad. In addition to blooding youngsters, coach Katiso Mojakhomo seems to have instilled discipline into the squad, which was the team’s main problem last season. Mojakhomo has a great opportunity to relive LCS’s glory days, as he led the team to back-to-back league titles during the 2006/7 and 2007/08 seasons.
Prediction:LCS have looked good in pre-season and expect them to be an exciting side in the new season. But their end-of-season finish should be sixth, up from last season’s seventh.
Key players:Sam Ketsekile, Moitheri Ntobo and Lieta Lehloka. League titles: Six.
Qoaling Highlanders: The Qoaling-based side will be playing topflight football for the third successive season, but their big blow was the loss of inspirational captain, Tšeliso Ramathe, and versatile striker, Makhetha Thakeli at the end of last season. Head-coach Wright Mofoka has proved his pedigree by ensuring the team remains in the top league, ending eighth last season, despite the club’s lack of resources.
Prediction: The loss of key players will prove costly to this team, and Highlanders will likely spend the season trying to avoid relegation rather than fighting for honours. After finishing an impressive eighth last season, Highlanders are likely to be on 12th position by the end of the season.
Key players:Bohlale Sentšo, Bulara Maema. New signings: Mpho Lehloka. League titles: None
Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS): The police outfit were very disappointing last season, finishing in ninth position, and losing long-time coach, Lelia Makubakube. His replacement, Rethabile Mokhesuoa, now has the great chance to prove himself and will be boosted by the return of former national team striker Teboho Sehloho from self-imposed exile from the game.
Prediction:LMPS has struggled to compete on the transfer marketand could struggle again this season, and fare even worse, and end the season in 10th position.
Key players: Solomon Lefuma, Bokang Mohasi, Tefa Makhooana. New signings: Teboho Sehloho, Itumeleng ‘Metso. League titles: One.
Mphatlalatsane: The St Monica’s side has a very promising squad and will surely improve in the new season. Coach Tšepo Hlojeng and technical director Molefe Makhele are both former national team players who are very passionate about the game and also command a lot of respect from the players. But this alone might not improve the team’s fortunes, and could see Mphatlalatsane end the season in 11th position—down from last season’s 10th slot.
Key players: Thaane Mokhehle.
Sandawana FC: Formerly known as Mpharane Celtic, Sandawana FC is now owned by popular traditional healer, Thato ‘Sandawana’ Nkone, who has promised to splash the cash to capture some of the best players in the country. Moses Maliehe hasbeen appointedthe new coach of the team and has promised to make Sandawana a force to reckon with, provided he manages to get the players on his wish-list. The national under-20 team (Makoanyane XI) coach also has an eye for young talent, following his many years of working with the Lesotho Football Association youth teams.
Prediction:The team is likely to end the season in eighth position, which would be a big improvement for a side that is known for always fighting relegation.
New signings: Ngoako Mapheele, Temba Mzamane. League titles: None.
Nyenye Rovers: The Maputsoe-based team has really struggled because of lack of funds to compete for quality players and this could be yet another tough season for them. Coach Lebajoa Mphongoa, who is a former Likuena striker, reads the game well and is the main reason Rovers have continued to survive relegation, despite the team’s glaring lack of resources. Mphongoa played at the highest level in South Africa with Bloemfontein Celtic, and always uses this experience to get the best out his charges.
Prediction: This could be the season Rovers are finally relegated should they fail to attract sponsors before it’s too late. They could end the season in 13th position, which would mean automatic relegation to the first division alongside the 14th placed side.
Key players:Moshe Mokhatholane. League titles: None.
Kick4Life: Thenewly promoted side is blessed with good training facilities, which could play a big role in helping them settle easily in topflight football. Team coachMotlalepula Majoro, the legendary former Matlama midfielder, is very passionate about coaching and his presence could also make a difference in the team adapting quickly to the Premiership. Majoro also has a talented squad of youngsters, who include the exciting Makoanyane XI duo of Thabiso Brown and Tokelo Majoro.
Prediction: A ninth-placing is possible for this side.
Key players:Kananelo Mokhanya, Tokelo Majoro. New signings: Thabiso Brown, Pitso Monne, Tokelo Majoro, Motlalepula Chabeli, Khosi Mafisa, Selle Thetsane and Mashai Masoabi.
Qalo: The Premier League rookies will find it very difficult to adapt to life in topflight football. The fact that teams from Butha-Buthe have always struggled in the Premiership will not help matters. Coach Bob Mafoso will have it rough in his first season coaching in the topflight league, and so will his players, most of whom are going to be tasting Premier League football for the very first time.
Prediction:The fact that Mafoso has never coached in the Premier League and also comes with an inexperienced squad could work against Qalo, especially if the team loses its first match of the season by a wide margin. A hammering in the opening match could destroy the players’ confidence, which might then become the trend for the rest of the campaign. Qalo could end the season at the bottom of the log, which would mean automatic relation.
Key players:Ntsikoe Kapo, Motlatsi Tlali. New signings: Tšeliso Chema.
