Mikia Kalati
In-form Litšepe Marabe scored a brace last weekend as defending league champions Bantu maintained their winning momentum to remain second on the 14-team Premiership table—five points behind leaders Lioli who are on 38 points.
Marabe took his goals tally to 13 and the double ensured A Matšo Matebele pipped struggling LMPS 2-1 on Sunday.
Fifteen matches into the season, the Mafeteng-based side appear the biggest threat to Lioli and have vowed to retain the league title they won for the first time last season.
Inconsistent Likhopo also managed to collect all the three points on offer as they beat Qoaling Highlanders 3-2 in a thriller at LCS Ground, also on Sunday.
This was only the fifth win for Likhopo this season, with the victory ensuring they moved away from the relegation zone into 8th position on the log.
Makara Ntaitsane scored twice while Thabo Mongala swept in the other goal, with Mpho Lehloka and Sello Tale responding for Highlanders.
The Qoaling-based Highlanders are bottom of the table and need to arrest the slump if they are to avoid the drop come end of the season.
Linare and Matlama also produced a thriller on Sunday as Tse Putsoa came back from two goals down to salvage a draw in Hlotse.
Linare had gone ahead through Lebajoa Mosehlenyane’s penalty, with Tumelo Ngatane doubling the lead to put Tse Tala in the driving seat early in the match.
However, Phafa Tšosane scored from the penalty spot to bring Matlama back into the game, while Kopano Motaung punished his former team to complete a remarkable comeback for the Sea Point-based outfit.
Also on Sunday, league rookies Likila United continued their impressive form as they beat Kick4Life 1-0 in a battle of the newcomers in Butha-Buthe.
Likila are fifth on the table, while Kick4Life occupy 10th position.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Lioli ended their goal-scoring woes as Jerry Kamele’s solitary strike in the second half handed them a 1-0 win over Nyenye Rovers.
Also on Saturday, Mphatlatsane and LDF drew 0-0 in St Monica’s, while LCS edged Sundawana 1-0 at LCS Ground.
| No. | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | Lioli | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 25 | 3 | 22 | 38 | |
| 2 | Bantu | 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 29 | 9 | 20 | 33 | |
| 3 | LDF | 15 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 31 | |
| 4 | LCS | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 30 | |
| 5 | Matlama | 15 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 27 | |
|
Likila United | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 23 | |
| 7 | Linare | 15 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 19 | |
| 8 | Likhopo | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 19 | 20 | -1 | 18 | |
| 9 | Sundawana | 15 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 16 | |
| 10 | Kick4life | 15 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 19 | -3 | 15 | |
| 11 | Nyenye Rovers | 15 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 21 | -13 | 12 | |
| 12 | Mphatlalatsane | 15 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 22 | -14 | 12 | |
| 13 | LMPS | 15 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 21 | -11 | 9 | |
| 14 | Q-Highlanders | 15 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 31 | -18 | 8 |
