Mikia Kalati
TEBOHO Mafatle scored the priceless goal as Likhopo boosted their chances of surviving relegation by claiming the prized scalp of former premier league champions, Matlama in an Econet Premier League match at Ratjomose Barracks on Sunday.
Matlama went into the match brimming with confidence having won two and a drawn one of their previous league matches but Mafatle upset the applecart with the solitary goal to hand Halemakale Mahlaha’s charges a massive boost in their quest to stay afloat.
Matlama subsequently lost second place on the log standings to Lioli who registered their first win under highly-rated Free State-born coach, Morena Ramoreboli.
Veteran defender, Kopano Tseka, scored the only goal as Lioli overcame a stubborn Majantja in Mohale’s Hoek.
Lioli however, remain seven points adrift of pacesetters, Bantu.
Elsewhere on Sunday, LCS earned their first win of the second round beating Kick4Life 1-0 courtesy of utility player, Sepiriti Malefane.
It was Kick4Life’s first defeat in the second round having played three matches so far.
On Saturday, Bantu, put the disappointment of last week’s 2-4 drubbing in the CAF Champions League at the hands of Swazi side, Mbabane Swallows by beating Linare by the same score line.
It was a game of braces as Litšepe Marabe and Tsietsi Motšeare each scored twice for the champions while Rethabile Rasethuntša also netted in a losing cause for Linare.
The win enabled A Matšo Matebele to establish a seven point gap as they continued their match towards a second league crown in a row.
Linare remained mired in the relegation zone and they will have to deep deeper to protect their proud record of one of only teams along with Matlama that have never been relegated from the top flight.
One of this campaign’s stand out players, Setho Moshoeshoe, netted his ninth goal as Liphakoe ended a woeful run of three defeats by beating Sky Battalion 1-0.
The latter are rooted to the bottom of the 13-team league and they are the only side which has not won a match in 16 attempts.
Another side playing for survival, Sefotha-fotha, took a valuable point in a 1-all draw with inconsistent LDF.
The army side looked to be on course to challenge for league honours but their inconsistent displays have seen them drop valuable points against the so-called small teams.
Thabang Rabi put them ahead in the first half, but the premier league debutants levelled matters through Thato Rantšo.
| No. | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Bantu | 15 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 30 | 9 | 21 | 36 |
| 2 | Lioli | 15 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 29 |
| 3 | Matlama | 16 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 29 |
| 4 | LDF | 16 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 25 |
| 5 | Kick4Life | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 24 |
| 6 | LCS | 15 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 21 |
| 7 | Majantja | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 16 | -2 | 20 |
| 8 | LMPS | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 19 |
| 9 | Liphakoe | 16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 15 | 22 | -7 | 19 |
| 10 | Linare | 16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 22 | -5 | 18 |
| 11 | Sefothafotha | 15 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 16 | -6 | 16 |
| 12 | Likhopo | 16 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 13 |
| 13 | Sky Battalion | 16 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 4 | 24 | -20 | -4 |
