MASERU — Matlama’s humbling at the hands of Supersport on Sunday leaves the Maseru giants with a mountain to climb when the two teams meet at Setsoto Stadium in a fortnight.
Matlama lost the first leg 2-0.
But it was a tale of missed chances in Polokwane.
When Matlama forward Litšepe Marabe shot straight at SuperSport United keeper Ronwyn Williams in the 56th minute, it was undoubtedly the golden chance that got away.
In hindsight it is a moment that could have seen the normally deadly Marabe put his side into the lead in the preliminary Caf Champions League qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
But as is often the case in football SuperSport then went down the other end and punished Matlama with a goal three minutes later.
The defeat leaves Matlama with an imposing hurdle in the return leg next Sunday.
Overall it was a commendable performance by Lesotho’s champions.
The game was a big occasion, the first time a Lesotho club had participated in the competition since 2008, and generally the players did well to rise to the occasion.
The overall stats point to a competent performance by Matlama who had 44 percent of the possession and managed 10 shots at goal, five of which were on target.
The line-up that was chosen by coach Mahao Matete wasn’t perhaps the expected one with youngsters Phafa Tšosane and Tsietsi Tikiso picked from the start but Matlama applied themselves well in the first half most notably with Tikiso’s early shot at goal.
Half-time substitutes Mohau Khali and youngster Khatleli Khatleli didn’t make the impact and it gave the South Africans the basis to go ahead on 59 minutes through a Jabulani Maluleke header before a close-range strike from Tebogo Langerman in the 73rd minute.
However, Matlama’s failure to score an away goal has put them in a tight situation for the return leg.
As a result Matlama will find themselves with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Any goal scored by Supersport would change the game in favour of the visitors. Victory though is still possible but there are areas that must be rectified.
SuperSport always seemed dangerous from set pieces and from crosses.
Indeed both goals came from these situations. Furthermore, as the game wore on it was clear SuperSport’s superior fitness counted.
There were some outstanding performances by Matlama captain Nkau Lerotholi and Motiki Mohale who were solid at the heart of defence while Thapelo Mokhehle showed his class with a solid game at left-back.
Tse Putsoa started the game with Mohale testing the keeper and from the resulting corner kick Lerotholi had a header which went just wide of the post.
The first opening Matlama gave away was in the 19th minute when goalkeeper Liteboho Mokhesi misjudged a floated cross and from the ensuing chaos the ball feel to Anthony Laffor only for Lerotholi to bravely block the shot.
Apart from that Matlama did well to limit SuperSport’s opportunities and it was only Mogogi Gabonamong’s header saved by Mokhesi on the stroke of halftime that gave Tse Putsoa a fright.
Tse Putsoa’s halftime changes did little to improve the side. With Hlomelang Theko moved into midfield Tse Putsoa surrendered the centre of the field.
Still the first chance fell to Matlama when Marabe found himself one-on-one with Williams in the 56th minute but he shot straight at the goalkeeper.
But a lapse in concentration and that old weakness in the air surfaced in the 59th minute when Jabulani Maluleke was given the freedom of the box to score from a cross by Tebogo Langerman.
Fourteen minutes later a sloppy pass by substitute Khali gave away possession in the middle of the park.
Langerman was again involved controlling the ball from another cross from Matlama’s right flank to make it 2-0.
Matlama still have hope, but they have a mountain to climb.
Matlama line-up
Liteboho Mokhesi — Tšoanelo Koetle, Nkau Lerotholi (captain), Motiki Mohale, Thapelo Mokhehle — Phafa Tšosane (Mohau Khali 46th), Lebakeng Lebetsa, Hlomelang Theko, Dlomo Monaphathi (Pali Tšalong 80th) — Litšepe Marabe, Tsietsi Tikiso (Khatleli Khatleli 46th)
