Quote of the week

“To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you're not, pretend you are.” – Muhammad Ali

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Vodacom Premier League returns with Matlama v Bantu

Bantu's Hlompho Kalake (left) and Matlama's Kefuoe Mahula will meet again
The Vodacom Premier League returns on Saturday with a potentially explosive clash between Matlama and Bantu. The game will be played at Setsoto Stadium and it is crucial to both teams for varying reasons.

Bantu are in the title race and could go four points clear at the top with a win while Matlama are desperate to kick-start a season that has plunged to a dull seventh place.

Matlama have managed just one win from their last five games. They are seven points behind fourth placed Sky Battalion and 10 points off first place.

A Matšo Matebele, on the other hand, lead the premiership with 27 points from 12 games. Lioli and Kick4Life follow behind them with 26 points but both have played a game more than Bantu. Saturday’s game will also see the much-anticipated debut of Seephephe “Mochini” Matete as Matlama coach following his appointment in December and he will be desperate to get his reign off to a good start.

Staying with football and Liphakoe have parted ways with coach Teele Ntšonyana.

In a statement released on Wednesday morning, the Vodacom Premier League outfit thanked Ntšonyana for “his immense contribution since taking over as head-coach” in 2014.

The Quthing based club said Ntšonyana’s A-Division championship triumph in 2015 which secured Liphakoe’s promotion to the Vodacom Premier League makes “him one of the best coaches and an icon to the people of Quthing”.

However, a string of poor results have led to the two parties parting ways.

After a good start to the season which saw the side as high as third in September, Liphakoe have been dragged into the relegation dogfight. Liphakoe have not won a game since beating Butha-Buthe Warriors 2-1 on October 9. They are now only seven points ahead of Likhopo who occupy the final relegation spot.

Liphakoe said they wished to make it clear Ntšonyana leaves “on good terms and will always remain a much loved, respected and significant figure” at the club.

“His legacy at Liphakoe FC and in Lesotho has long been guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back to Mose-ho-seaka,” the club said.

Finally, to basketball and the Lesotho Basketball Association has confirmed that the National Basketball League will resume next weekend on January 14.

Vodacom Premier League Standings


P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts.
1
Bantu
12
8
3
1
20
4
16
27
2
Lioli
13
8
2
3
25
8
17
26
3
Kick4Life
13
8
2
3
24
14
10
26
4
Sky Battalion
13
7
3
3
17
10
7
24
5
LMPS
13
6
5
2
12
7
5
23
6
LCS
13
6
4
3
15
13
2
22
7
Matlama
12
5
5
2
16
7
9
17
8
LDF
13
5
5
3
12
9
3
17
9
Sundawana
13
3
7
3
11
11
0
16
10
Linare
13
3
5
5
21
19
2
14
11
Liphakoe
13
3
3
7
10
17
-7
12
12
Rovers
13
2
2
9
8
23
-15
8
13
Likhopo
13
1
2
10
6
22
-16
5
14
Butha-Buthe Warriors
13
0
2
11
8
38
-30
2
·         Matlama docked 3 points
·         LDF docked 3 points and 3 goals

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