The going gets tough for Roses

MASERU — With one quarter of the season gone, struggling Butha-Buthe Roses find themselves rooted at the bottom of the Vodacom Premier League table.
Roses have lost all their six league games this season and already have a goal difference of minus-16.
Even with five months of the season to go, the Butha-Buthe side’s poor form has marked them out as one of the firm favourites to get relegated — especially with four sides facing the chop this season.
However, according to Roses’ vice general secretary Tabai Motuba, the Butha-Buthe outfit are going nowhere.
“We have lost some of our key players this season,” Motuba said.
“Most of our main players from last year have left the team because of school and work.”
One of those is last season’s star performer Makafane Ramontšo who moved to Roma Rovers at the start of this campaign.
“We are lacking experience this season,” Motuba said.
“We have contested well but we have lost our games in the second half.
“Our coach (Thapelo Thapelo) is also not based in Butha-Buthe so there are times when he is unable to fully oversee the team.”
In the meantime Roses have conceded a staggering 21 goals.
The sides with the next worst records are Roma Rovers and Swallows who have both conceded 10 times.
The importance of Roses’ next two home games, against Nyenye Rovers and Swallows, cannot be overstated.
“By Christmas we should have at least 10 to 15 points,” Motuba said.
“If you judge by the points that the teams that survived relegation last year had (26 points) it means we will have to pick up a lot of points in the second round.
“We are going to examine ourselves in the next two weeks.
“I maintain that we will not be relegated.”
Meanwhile, Matlama go into the league’s recess after they overcame a plucky Lerotholi side 1-0 at Pitso Ground on Sunday.
A 33rd minute strike from the in-form Thapelo Mokhehle was enough to  give Tse Putsoa all three points.