Mikia Kalati
A SOLITARY goal by striker Motebang Sera handed Matlama all three points against LDF in an Econet Premier League match played at Ratjomose Barracks on Sunday.
The match was one of two of the outstanding games from matches from the first round.
The other was the tie between Majantja and Kic4Life which was played on the same day and ended in a 1-all stalemate.
Matlama moved to within three points of second placed Lioli after Sunday’s win and they now trail pacesetters Bantu by seven points.
The Mosito Matela-coached side have now registered six wins, drawn four and lost two in 12 matches.
Last week, they played out a goalless draw with Lioli and they appear on course to mounting a serious challenge for the title they last won almost a decade ago.
They came close two seasons ago under the tutelage of current national team coach, Moses Maliehe when they finished runners up to Lioli.
Meanwhile, LDF slipped to fourth from third after Sunday’s loss. They have 19 points in the bag.
In another match played on Sunday, Kick4Life game from a goal down to salvage a draw against Majantja in a match played at Mohale’s Hoek DIFA Ground.
The home side went ahead through experienced midfielder, Jeremane Lelia in the first half.
Star midfielder, Bokang Mothoana scored a late penalty to save Kick4Life’s blushes against a plucky Majantja side who only returned to the top flight this season.
Kick4Life are now sixth after a slow start to the 2017/18 season which was probably down to the departure of their top goal scorer for last season, Thabiso Brown as well as Morapeli Lesoetsa and Thapelo Tale.
They have won only four games, drawn five and lost three out of the 12 games they have played so far.
Majantja have been impressive and accumulated 16 points from 12 games.
The Mohale’s Hoek side are seventh and look set to retain their premier league status.
| No. | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Bantu | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 6 | 17 | 29 |
| 2 | Lioli | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 20 | 9 | 11 | 25 |
| 3 | Matlama | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 22 |
| 4 | LDF | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 19 |
| 5 | LCS | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 17 |
| 6 | Kick4Life | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 17 |
| 7 | Majantja | 12 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 13 | -1 | 16 |
| 8 | Liphakoe | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 15 | -3 | 16 |
| 9 | LMPS | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 14 | -1 | 15 |
| 10 | Sefothafotha | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 13 |
| 11 | Linare | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 17 | -6 | 11 |
| 12 | Likhopo | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 18 | -9 | 9 |
| 13 | Sky Battalion | 12 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 19 | -15 | -5 |
