MASERU — Mphatlalatsane Football Club are set to win back promotion into the premier league after registering a stunning 1-0 victory over Leribe rivals Nyenye Rovers on Sunday.
After a sluggish start to the Vodacom A-Division Northern Stream season, Linaleli have caught fire in recent weeks.
They are now just a point behind leaders Nyenye Rovers, with 17 points from eight games.
This season the northern stream looks slightly the tougher of the first division’s two streams. Even with the top two’s form Lithabaneng Golden, who are sixth with 11 points, are still well within reach of the leaders.
In Maputsoe, Mphatlalatsane did their chances no harm by edging table topping Nyenye Rovers 1-0, away from home, in a hard-fought encounter.
It was Rovers’ first defeat at home and a setback for the side looking to return to the premiership after spending the 2009/10 season in the top-flight.
Nyenye Rovers remain on 18 points.
Sefothafotha capitalised on the slip by Rovers by thumping Butha-Buthe Fast XI 5-0 away in Butha-Buthe.
The Khubetsoana outfit are third and have 16 points from eight games this season.
Also on 16 points are Qalo after they played to a two-all draw with Butha-Buthe rivals Butha-Buthe Warriors.
Lithabaneng Golden meanwhile kept in touch with the leaders after a much-needed 2-1 win over Roaring Lions.
At the foot of the table Butha-Buthe sides — Roses, Warriors and Fast XI, make up the bottom three.
In the Southern Stream it seems a head-to-head race between pre-season promotion favourites Qoaling Highlanders and Rovers is developing.
Highlanders finished second to Majantja last season and have started this season solidly.
However, Highlanders’ 2-2 draw at home with Liphakoe on Sunday allowed Rovers to draw level on points at the top after their win over Arsenal.
Rovers who were national champions in 1996 were relegated last season and have enjoyed a return to better form this season.
Their 1-0 win over struggling Arsenal in Roma means they are tied with Highlanders on 17 points at the top.
Third-placed Maseru Naughty Boys kept up the pressure by beating floundering Mabeoana 1-0 also on Sunday.
Naughty Boys have 14 points.
In a clash of two promotion contenders, Kick-4-Life and Swallows played to a played a 1-1 draw at Old Europa.
Both sides dropped a place as a result but remain firmly in the hunt. Swallows are fourth with 14 points.
Kick-4-Life are a point and a place further back in what is turning out be a gripping Vodacom A-Division season.
First Division Results:
Northern Stream
Lerotholi Polytechnic 0-0 Butha-Buthe Roses
Butha-Buthe Fast XI 0-5 Sefotha-fotha
Qalo 2-2 Butha-Buthe Warriors
Lithabaneng Golden 2-1 Roaring Lions
Nyenye Rovers 0-1 Mphatlalatsane
Southern Stream
Qoaling Highlanders 2-2 Liphakoe
Rovers 1-0 Arsenal
Maseru Naughty Boys 1-0 Mabeoana
Kick-4-Life 1-1 Swallows
