says title race still wide open…
Leemisa Thuseho
LIOLI coach, Motheo Mohapi, says the title race remains wide open despite his team’s recent good run of form.
It was still early for his Teyateyaneng based team to begin celebrating despite its good run of form and the setbacks suffered by its main rivals to the Vodacom Premier League (VPL) title, he said.
Lioli’s chances of winning the league were nonetheless boosted by second placed Matlama’s 3-0 defeat to LMPS at Bambatha Tṧita Sports Arena last Saturday.
Defending champions, Bantu, who are in third position, also had their title defence suffer a severe dent after they were held to a 1-all draw by Lifofane at Mohale’s Hoek DiFA Ground on Saturday.
Lioli on the other hand continued with their impressive run by edging Liphakoe 1-0 at LCS Ground in Maseru on Sunday to extend their lead to five points.
With only six games to go, Lioli are sitting at the summit of the log standings with 56 points, but with one game ahead of Matlama who have 51 points. Bantu who are also a game behind are on third with 49 points. Lioli have played 24 games while Matlama and Bantu have played 23.
Due to its impressive run throughout the season and the inconsistencies of its rivals, Lioli have become the title favourites. Fans are hopeful that the TY side will maintain the winning streak to lift the trophy for the first time since 2016.
Nonetheless, Mohapi said it would be premature to talk about winning the league, because the teams in the top four still had a chance to clinch the title.
“This season, our work was to restore Lioli’s dignity and what we are fighting for is to cement our position in the top four first before we talk about winning the title,” Mohapi told the Lesotho Times this week.
“Despite being in the lead, it is not yet guaranteed that we will be at the top spot at the end of the campaign. This because if we can lose any of the remaining games, the teams behind us still have chances to pull us down and get us out of the top four.
“Once we are mathematically sure that we have secured a spot in the top four, we will then focus on winning the league.”
Mohapi said this season’s race had been very competitive, and chances were high that the winner will be decided on the very last games of the season.
“Looking at the points difference between the top four teams, the competition is very tight, the fight is not yet over.”
In their next game on Saturday, Lioli will take a trip to Morija to face Lijabatho at Morija Ground. Bantu will take on Liphakoe at Mohale’s Hoek Ground.
On the same day Manonyane will welcome Limkokwing University (LU) at Nyakosoba Ground while Lifofane welcome CCX at Maputsoe DiFA Ground.
On Sunday, Matlama will be seeking to redeem themselves when they take on Naughty Boys at Morija Ground.
Highly motivated LMPS will welcome Linare at the Police Training College (PTC) Ground, while ACE Maseru are to date LCS at Ratjomose Ground. Machokha play LDF at LCS Ground.
