Linare target Bantu’s scalp

Moorosi Tsiane
LINARE will be out to upset Bantu when they take on the defending league champions at Maputsoe DIFA Ground on Saturday.
The Maputsoe side, commonly referred to as Tse Tala, heads into the match on the back of a 0-1 loss to LMPS last Saturday at the same venue.
Bokang Mothoana scored the solitary goal from the spot.
Linare coach, Tebogo Moloi, said his side would take advantage of the game time it got last weekend to upset Bantu. Last Saturday’s game was the first since July when sporting activities were suspended on account of Covid-19.
“We had a good game last Saturday and created chances although we were rusty and failed to convert them,” Moloi said.
“But the fact that we played last weekend while Bantu were inactive should work in our favour so that we can upset them.”
The break since July disrupted his side’s rhythm and he would have loved to get more time to prepare. The teams only got three weeks to prepare for the resumption of soccer activities after the lifting of the ban on sporting activities in October. That aside, he is also concerned about the apparent lack of drive to win.
“Five months is a long time and getting three weeks to prepare is not good enough. We had no time to play friendlies and you could tell even from last weekend’s game that the players were not ready.
“I am also worried about my team’s lack of motivation to win. It is still unclear what we are playing for because the Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) is yet to pronounce itself regarding whether or not Lesotho will have a representative in the CAF Champions’ League. There is also no clarity regarding the domestic cups and all that information can help motivate the players,” Moloi said.
On his part, Bantu coach, Bob Mafoso, said he was worried about his players’ lack of fitness.
“They (Linare) played last weekend and that gives them an edge over us in terms of fitness but we will still be going for a win.
“We are however, fortunate to have watched them play and identified  their weaknesses,” Mafoso said.
In other matches on Saturday, LDF takes on Kick4Life at Ratjomose Ground, LCS host Swallows at LCS Ground while LMPS travel to play CCX in Hlotse.