Mikia Kalati
Matlama coach, Ntebele ‘Tata Mocholene’ Taole, has called on his team to be consistent following a surprise 0-1 loss to struggling LMPS in their last premier league match two weeks ago.
The nine-time league champions face Sundawana at LCS Ground on Saturday hoping for a swift return to winning ways.
Taole on Tuesday told the Lesotho Times his charges need to continue collecting points if they are to wrestle the league title from defending champions Bantu.
“The team has to play better on Saturday because our performance against LMPS was very poor; it did not meet the standards of a team as big as Matlama,” Taole said.
“Our problem has been getting goals. We play beautiful football, but at the end of the day, winning matches is what counts and you can only do so through scoring goals.”
The veteran tactician also pointed out that with the quality players in his line-up, Matlama should be doing much better and challenging for honours. Tse Putsoa are fifth on the 14-team premier league table and trail leaders Lioli by 14 points.
“It is an insult to the supporters that we are not among the top three teams on the table,” Taole said. “But we will be working on our weaknesses, especially getting the goals, because we really have to be winning matches and not dropping points unnecessarily.
“I gave the players a few days off last week and am confident that their batteries are fully recharged now because Sundawana can be a stubborn side, so we have to be ready for them come Saturday,” he said.
On the other hand, Sundawana coach, Freese Ntene—who recently quit fellow premier league side Linare for the ambitious Butha-Buthe outfit—said he was looking forward to a giant-killing act on Saturday.
“Things have been shaping up pretty well since I joined this team last month and my target is to finish the season among the top eight teams in the league,” Ntene said.
“Sundawana have played two matches since I joined them last month, losing 1-0 to Bantu and winning 3-0 against Qoaling Highlanders and I’m confident there are more victories to come for us.”
Ntene also revealed recently signed veterans, namely Bota Ramantsoe, Mohapi Ntobo and Lerata Tšalong, were all in good shape to face their former club on Saturday.
“We are playing Matlama away and it will be sweet if we win the tie,” Ntene said.
Meanwhile, Lioli battle Highlanders in Qoaling in another premier league match scheduled for Saturday.
Tse Nala are five points clear of second-placed Bantu, who now have to put their African Champions League disappointment behind them and focus on defending their premiership title.
Lioli beat Likila United 2-1 in their last league match and will be hoping to extend their lead with the maximum three points against basement-side Qoaling Highlanders.
The Teyateyaneng-based side has already been booted out of the LNIG Top8 competition and only remain with the league title to fight for this season.
Bantu, on the other hand, clash with Nyenye Rovers at Leshoboro Stadium on Sunday hoping to bounce back from their Champions League defeat to AS Mangasport of Gabon on Sunday.
The Mafeteng giants were booted out in the preliminary round of the continental competition when they failed to win the reverse fixture at Setsoto Stadium, with the match ending goalless. Bantu had lost the first leg 1-0 away in Gabon a fortnight ago and needed to score two unanswered goals in the return leg.
However, club president Leuta Leuta says the team needs to defend their league title if they are to placate fans disappointed by the early Champions League exit.
Weekend fixtures at a glance
Saturday: Matlama v Sundawana, Qoaling Highlanders v Lioli, LMPS v LDF.
Sunday: Bantu v Nyenye Rovers, Kick4Life v Mphatlaltsane, Likila United v LCS, Likhopo v Linare.
