Mikia Kalati
MATLAMA dismissed rivals Lioli 3-1 at Setsoto Stadium on Saturday to narrow the gap with the Econet Premier League leaders, LCS to three points.
Motebang Sera, Jane Thabantšo and Lebajoa Mosehlenyane scored for Matlama while veteran midfielder Motlalepula Mofolo scored the consolation goal for struggling Tse Nala.
Inform Mosehlenyane leads the goal scoring charts with eight goals in the league and is also the top goal scorer for his club this season.
The three points against Lioli took Matlama to 24 who now trail leaders LCS by three points although Tse Putsoa still have a game in hand.
Masheshena, as LCS is affectionately known, are on top of the league standings with 30 points after 13 games.
Matlama last won the league title during the 2009/10 season while LCS have gone six seasons without winning the championship.
Tse Nala, who are enduring a difficult season and suffered their seventh loss over the weekend, are in an unfamiliar eighth position on the log.
In another match at the same venue, Likhopo continued with their impressive run securing a point in a goalless draw against defending champions, Bantu.
Thabiso ‘Feso’ Lichaba was once again the hero for the Mafeteng outfit saving a late penalty to deny Likhopo the three points.
A Matšo Matebele remains in the race to defend their title despite sitting fifth with 19 points, 11 off the pace of leaders LCS.
The James Madidilane coached side is three games behind the rest of the teams after a busy schedule in the CAF Champions League as well as the Confederations Cup.
They will this weekend host Enugu Rangers of Nigeria in the Group stage play-off scheduled for Setsoto Stadium.
Likhopo’s revival on the other hand has seen Halemakale Mahlaha’s side rise up to seventh, a great fete for a side which sat second from bottom of the log just two months ago.
The Red Army has 17 points after 13 games.
Kick4Life also edged Galaxy 1-0 with Ralekoti Mokhahlane scoring the solitary goal.
Bob Mafoso’s side are on a six-match unbeaten streak and now find themselves in the race for the league title. Kick4Life are third on the league standings and have collected 24 points from the 13 first round matches.
The match also marked a milestone for long serving captain Moruti Thamahane, who on the day played his 100th league game for the club.
