Mikia Kalati
Premiership rookies, Kick4life, want to add more misery on LDF when the two sides clash at Ratjomose Barracks on Saturday.
LDF were knocked out of the LNIG Top8 tournament by Matlama last Saturday, and Kick4Life coach, Motlalepula Majoro, believes his charges would also get the better of the army-side in Saturday’s league tie.
“We didn’t have any games over the past two weeks, which gave us a chance to prepare for this tough match against LDF,” Majoro said.
“We are in 10th place on the 14-team table, and considering this is our first year in the topflight league, my boys have done pretty well so far.
“From the start, our target was to avoid relegation, which I believe we have already achieved considering the points we have accumulated. The aim now is to continue working hard on our game and improve our position on the table.
“I have very disciplined players who have made it relatively easy for me, and with their positive attitude, they can only get better as they become more and more accustomed to Premier League football.
“As for the weekend match, we are more than ready for LDF and have a plan to cause an upset as they are one of the biggest teams in Lesotho, while we are newcomers in the Premiership.”
However, LDF coach, Malefetsane Pheko, said the LNIG Top8 defeat to Matlama was now water under the bridge.
According to Pheko, third-placed LDF were hoping to capitalise on second-placed Bantu’s busy schedule and pacesetters Lioli’s recent struggles. Sixteen fixtures into the 26-match season, Lioli lead the Premiership pack on 39 points followed by Bantu, LDF, LCS, and Matlama on 36, 34, 31 and 28, respectively.
“The race for honours is still on, but we need to win matches to close that gap between us and the two top teams,” Pheko said.
“Of course, we are disappointed not to have made the semi-final of the Top8 competition, but life must go on because we have a chance of doing well in the league campaign.
“We just have to focus again and make use of Lioli’s struggles as well as Bantu’s busy schedule, in which they are also playing in the African Champions League,” he said.
Meanwhile, Matlama are also going to be in league action on Saturday. The Sea Point outfit face 13th placed LMPS at Pitso Ground, and their Top8 quarterfinal win over fearsome LDF means they come into this tie brimming with confidence.
On the other hand, struggling LMPS are in real danger of losing their Premier League status unless they arrest their poor form and start collecting points.
In Saturday’s other match, Nyenye Rover host inconsistent Linare in St Monica’s, while the Mphatlalatsane versus Likhopo and Lioli against Likila clashes on Sunday, wind up the weekend Premier League action.
Weekend fixtures at a glance
Saturday: Matlama v LMPS (Pitso Ground), LDF v Kick4Life (Ratjomose Barracks), Nyenye Rovers v Linare (St Monica’s).
Sunday : Lioli v Likila (venue to be decided), Mphatlalatsane v Likhopo (St Monica’s).
| 1 | Lioli | 16 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 26 | 4 | 22 | 39 | |
| 2 | Bantu | 16 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 30 | 9 | 21 | 36 | |
| 3 | LDF | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 34 | |
| 4 | LCS | 16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 31 | |
| 5 | Matlama | 16 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 28 | |
|
Likila United | 16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 26 | |
| 7 | Likhopo | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 20 | 21 | -1 | 19 | |
| 8 | Linare | 16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 16 | -3 | 19 | |
| 9 | Kick4life | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 19 | -1 | 18 | |
| 10 | Sandawana | 17 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 22 | -8 | 16 | |
| 11 | Nyenye Rovers | 16 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 22 | -13 | 13 | |
| 12 | Mphatlalatsane | 16 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 23 | -14 | 13 | |
| 13 | LMPS | 16 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 22 | -12 | 9 | |
| 14 | Q-Highlanders | 17 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 33 | -20 | 8 |
