Mikia Kalati
SWALLOWS and Majantja are in danger of relegation from top flight football after a difficult 2018/19 Econet Premier League campaign so far.
The two teams occupy the last two spots on the league standings with Swallows at the bottom with just 12 points after 20 games while Majantja are second from bottom with 15 points after 19 games.
Swallows lost 1-0 to fellow strugglers Galaxy last weekend while Majantja also lost by the same score-line to Likhopo. Likhopo have now completed a double Majantja them this season.
The Mazenod outfit returned to top flight football at the start of this season but have struggled to grind results, which has also led to changing and chopping of coaches.
They have won just twice in 20 games so far and recently produced one of their best performances holding Bantu to a goalless draw but have failed to maintain the same heroics and have lost the two following successive games.
Majantja have also had a difficult season and the infighting of the management and the departure of their South African born coach Kabelo Malapane have worsened the situation.
Malapane quit the club after going several months without pay while the club also sold their top goal scorer Keketso Snyders to Bantu in the January transfer window.
Despite their win over Swallows last weekend, Galaxy remain in the relegation dogfight as they are tied on 15 points with Majantja.
Struggling Leribe giants, Linare, are also in a precarious position even after an impressive display in 1-1 draw with Bantu on Sunday.
Tse Tala are just three points ahead of both Galaxy and Majantja and still without a win in the second round.
Meanwhile, Matlama boosted their chances of ending their long drought for the league title beating Kick4Life 3-1 on Saturday to open a four points advantage over second placed LCS.
Motebang Sera was the hero in the victory netting a brace while Jane Thabantšo scored the other goal. Lepekola Seetane scored the consolation goal for Kick4Life.
Tse Putsoa are at the summit of the Econet Premier League with 44 points after 19 games and have a good chance of lifting the league title for the first since the 2009/10 season.
LCS trail Tse Putsoa by just three points. Masheshena are second with 41 points but have a played a game more than Matlama.
The correctional service outfit was held to a 1-1 draw by LDF on Sunday to dent their title hopes having also lost 1-0 to Sefotha-fotha in the midweek.
Econet Premier League defending champions Bantu also dropped two points on Sunday drawing 1-1 with struggling Linare at Setsoto Stadium.
The Bob Mafoso coached outfit is third with 36 points after 17 games.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Sefotha-fotha boosted their chances of finishing the season among the top eight teams with a 1-1 draw against LMPS.
Basia Makepe once again scored a late goal to salvage a point for the police outfit having netted a late goal in the midweek tie to avoid defeat at home to Liphakoe.
The police side that has blown hot and cold this season is 10th but still has a chance to secure a top eight finish from their remaining matches.
Lioli continued with their revival in the second round beating Liphakoe 1-0 in Teyateyaneng to boost their chances of ending the campaign in a respectable position. Hopolang Mohlalefi’s score helped his side move within two points of third placed Bantu.
Tse Nala are fourth with 34 points after 20 games.
