Bantu midfielder Thabiso Mohapi controll the ball as Matlama striker Motebang Sera close in
Mikia Kalati
BANTU and Lioli won their weekend matches to take the title race to a nail-biting last day contest.
Bokang Sello was the unlikely hero for Tse Nala who left til late to secure a slender 1-0 victory over Likhopo on Saturday.
The full-back netted from a free-kick with ten minutes left on the clock against the relegation-threatened Likhopo as Lioli put up an uncharacteristically below-par performance.
The win moved Tse Nala to 57 points and temporarily to the top of the standings only for Bantu to reclaim pole position 24 hours later, courtesy of a 3-1 win over Sandawana which restored their two point cushion over the defending champions.
Tsietsi Khooa scored twice and Moloisane Ramasimong weighed in with another goal as Bantu moved to 59 points.
They can win the title if they get the better of Kick4Life in their last match on Saturday irrespective of how Lioli fares in their final match against Sky Battalion.
LCS were also in action on Saturday in Maputsoe and walloped relegated Butha Buthe Warriors 4-0 at DIFA Ground stadium.
Matlama also boosted their chances of qualifying for a top eight spot with a 3-1 win over Rovers.
Phafa Tsoṧane, Jane Thaba-Ntšo and Motebang Sera were on target for Matlama as they coasted to a 3-1 win on Saturday.
The win not only boosted Tse Putsoa’s chances of a top eight finish but also eased the pressure on coach Seephephe ‘Mochine’ Matete after back to back defeats to Sky Battalion and Lioli.
On Sunday, Lehlomela Ramabele bagged a brace as Liphakoe edged Linare 2-1.
However, the win did not change the position of Liphakoe who remain stuck on 10th position.
Linare dropped to 11th position with both teams set to finish outside the top eight.
Meanwhile, a solitary goal from Tsietsi Motšeare gave league rookies Sky Battalion a 1-0 win over LMPS as they cemented their place in the top eight.
Sky are guaranteed to finish fifth as they are currently on 41 points in their maiden season in the top flight.
LDF also secured an important 1-0 victory over third placed Kick4Life to boost their top eight chances.
The Motheo Mohapi-coached side, who beat Liphakoe 1-0 in the previous weekend, have been outstanding in the second round of the campaign.
They are sixth in the 14-team Vodacom Premier League.
