Mikia Kalati
PREMIER League giants, Matlama and Lioli, bounced back from their first leg losses in the LNIG Top8 quarterfinals to overcome Kick4Life and LMPS respectively.
They advanced to the semi-finals where they will meet each other. The finalists will battle for the M100 000 prize at Setsoto Stadium on 8 April.
Matlama gave a stellar performance scoring a few minutes into the match through a Phafa Tšosane cracker having lost 1-0 to Kick4Life two weeks back.
However, Kick4Life also seemed determined netting an equaliser in the second half through a Likano Teele header.
Tse Putsoa would however, not give up a chance to end their drought for a major trophy as Lebajoa Mosehlenyane scored a late brace to win on 3-2 aggregate.
Later on the day, Lioli also defeated LMPS 2-0 to give under-fire coach Morena Ramoreboli some breathing space.
Solomon Lefuma scored an own goal that brought Lioli back into the game as the Teyateyaneng outfit had trailed 1-0 from the first leg.
Tšoanelo Koetle, whose future has been uncertain in recent weeks after he failed to undergo a drug- test, sealed the deal for Tse Nala when he scored from the penalty spot after an LMPS defender handled the ball in the box.
The semi-final showdown will be a chance for Ramoreboli to revenge after his side were thumped 4-1 by Matlama a week ago in the league.
On Saturday, LCS defended their 5-0 lead from the first leg when they took on LDF at Maputsoe DIFA Ground.
It looked all done and dusted when the correctional service side won a penalty early in the match and Motiki Mohale converted to give them a 6-0 aggregate.
The army side also scored a penalty but were eventually knocked out on 6-1 aggregate.
In the second match on Saturday, Bantu recalled their senior players into the starting line-up to finish the job against strugglers Sky Battalion having managed a 2-1 win with mostly fringe players.
A Matšo Matebele won the match 5-1 to advance on a 7-2 aggregate.
Litšepe Marabe netted a brace while Tsietsi Motšeare, Hlompo Kalake and Lehlohonolo Fothoane all scored once as the side had it their way against the only team without a win in the Econet Premier League.
The brace helped Marabe take his tally to three goals in two games and made him the favourite for the tournament’s Golden boot award.
The semi-finals will be played at Setsoto Stadium on 7 April and with the third and fourth place play-off and the finals scheduled for the following day.
LNIG Top semi-final fixture
Saturday (7 April)
Bantu v LCS
Matlama v Lioli
