Sports

A race to the finish

Published

6 years ago

April 26, 2019

…..Will Matlama hold on to lift title?…..

MASERU – The 2018/19 Econet Premier League marathon is in its final stretch with all 14 contenders squeezing their last bits of energy to get over the finish.
There are just four games to play before the curtain closes on the season but there is still plenty to be decided around the league.
At the top, two teams are going neck-and-neck for the title with Matlama holding a five-point edge over defending champions Bantu.
Things are similarly interesting in the sprint for the top four where Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Lioli and Kick4Life are battling for one spot while the relegation dogfight may also go down to the last kick on the final day.

TITLE CONTENDERS

Matlama

The last time the log leaders came this close to winning the championship was in 2015/16 under Moses Maliehe.
In that season Matlama suffered heartbreak at the hands of Lioli; ‘Tse Putsoa’ lost the title by one point in a thrilling race that went down to the final game.
After a disappointing couple of years following that close shave, Matlama have been revitalised this season under Thabile Secker as they seek a first league title since the 2009/10 campaign.
Matlama still have several players from that 2015/16 squad such as Motebang Sera, Phafa Tšosane and Mabuti Potloane and they have grown together since.
Displaying greater maturity and consistency, ‘Tse Putsoa’ have led the log for large parts of the season and have now been on top for the past two months.
Matlama are five points clear of second-placed Bantu and on Monday they clocked their biggest victory of the season as they walloped Majantja 5-0 at Setsoto Stadium to keep their title ambitions on track.
Sera – who is the league’s top scorer – was a star performer again scoring twice to take his season’s tally to 15 goals, five shy of his stated goal of 20 strikes.
On paper the only tricky fixture left on Matlama’s plate is next weekend’s humdinger against Bantu where a win would effectively seal the title for ‘Tse Putsoa’.
Matlama’s other three games are against sides in the bottom half of the table and they are matches Secker would be confident of winning.
After failing to defend their Lesotho National Insurance Group (LNIG) Top 8 trophy three weeks ago, the league crown is the only silverware left for Matlama to claim this season.
‘Tse Putsoa’ may also never get a better chance to end their league title drought.
The stakes are high.

Remaining games:

28/04 Matlama vs Galaxy (A)

04/05 Matlama vs Bantu (A)

12/05 Matlama vs Sefotha-fotha (H)

18/05 Matlama vs Linare (H)

Bantu

After a shaky start to the season Bantu have recovered and fought as champions do to get themselves back in the title conversation.
The Mafeteng giants have won seven of their last nine league games and have lost just once in 13 league games since the turn of the year.
However, despite all their hard work, Bantu coach James Madidilane has admitted the title is out of their hands and that ‘A Matšo Matebele’ have to hope Matlama drop points.
Bantu are in this unfamiliar situation because of a hectic season that saw them compete valiantly in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup during an exciting but gruelling period from November to January.
Ultimately, their African adventures caused Bantu to lag behind in the Econet Premier League as they looked to capture the title for a history-making third time in a row.
Now it will take a minor miracle for Madidilane’s charges to join LDF as the only sides to win three successive league titles.
Compared to Matlama, Bantu’s remaining slate of games is daunting.
Aside from facing a must-win tie against Matlama next Saturday, ‘A Matšo Matebele’ will also have to get the better of Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS), Lioli and a fearless Sefotha-fotha if they are to retain their crown.

Remaining games:

27/04 Bantu vs LCS (H)

04/05 Bantu vs Matlama (H)

11/05 Bantu vs Lioli (A)

18/05 Bantu vs Sefotha-fotha (A)

TOP 4

Matlama and Bantu have sealed the league’s top two spots and will qualify for next season’s Independence Cup. LCS, in third position, are no longer in the title race but are nailed in the top four frame as well.
That leaves LDF, Lioli and Kick4Life to fight it out for the remaining top four spot currently occupied by ‘Sohle-Sohle’.

LDF

It has been a good season for Motheo Mohapi’s side who were crowned LNIG Top 8 champions earlier this month.
That triumph marked their first piece of silverware since 2008 and if LDF can also secure a top four spot, it would turn a good season into a super one.
LDF are fourth, one point ahead of Lioli, and looking at their remaining run of games, ‘Sohle-Sohle’ are clear favourites to finish fourth.

Remaining games:

27/04 LDF vs Sefotha-fotha (A)

11/05 LDF vs Kick4Life (H)

18/05 LDF vs Majantja (A)

Lioli

For Lioli this has been a rebuilding season after they parted ways with Morena Ramorebodi at the end of an underwhelming 2017/18 campaign.
‘Tse Nala’ brought in former Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) technical director Lehlohonolo Thotanyana and Mosholi Mokhothu as head coach and assistant coach respectively to form a dream team in the dressing room.
However, it hasn’t all gone according to plan.
Yes, Lioli did win the Independence Cup in October to ensure they would at least end the season with silverware.
But ‘Tse Nala’ have struggled since that triumph and their nine defeats this season are already Lioli’s most in a league campaign since they lost nine through the 2007/08 season.
As things stand, Lioli are in danger of missing out on a top four place for the first time since 2012 which would end the longest current top four streak in the league.

Remaining games:

28/04 Lioli vs LMPS (H)

11/05 Lioli vs Bantu (H)

18/05 Lioli vs Kick4Life (A)

Kick4Life

Sixth-placed Kick4Life are the outsiders to make it into the top four party but they do control their destiny as they still have to play both LDF and Lioli.
Win both matches and Kick4Life could find themselves sitting at the VIP top four table when the season ends.
If Kick4Life can somehow beat LDF and Lioli to get in that cool party it will be some achievement.
Like Lioli, they also made managerial changes entering this season as Leslie Notši, who nurtured Kick4Life from league babies to top four heroes in 2017, left to take up a senior role at LEFA.
Former Bantu assistant Bob Mafoso was brought in to replace Notši and he has navigated a debut season filled with highs and lows that has already guaranteed a top eight place but could still end with a top four prize.

Remaining games:

27/04 Kick4Life vs Liphakoe (H)

11/05 Kick4Life vs LDF (A)

18/05 Kick4Life vs Lioli (H)

RELEGATION

The bottom of the league looks familiar; it has been the same teams down there since January.
Lijabatho and Lifofane have already sealed their promotion from the A-Division to the Econet Premier League and they are happily waiting to see which two teams they will replace in the top-flight next season.

Swallows

As things stand, Swallows, who were promoted to the Econet Premiership at the start of the 2018/19 campaign, will be on the first bus back to the A-Division when the season ends.
In fact, their fate may be sealed well before then.
With only two wins from 23 games this season, the Mazenod side are seven points from safety with three matches to play.
The maths, as a result, is quite simple: if Swallows fail to beat Likhopo on Sunday they will be relegated from the Econet Premier League.

Remaining games:

28/04 Swallows vs Likhopo (H)

12/05 Swallows vs Liphakoe (A)

18/05 Swallows vs LCS (H)

Majantja

After consecutive drubbings at the hands of Bantu (6-1) and Matlama (5-0) over an unhappy Easter weekend, Majantja’s hopes of staying in the Econet Premier League are hanging by thread.
Their chances took a further knock when relegation rivals Galaxy beat Liphakoe 1-0 last Saturday.
Things are not looking good in Mohale’s Hoek.
Majantja are now four points adrift of safety and their prospects are not helped by their abysmal goal difference of minus-31.
Realistically, Majantja will have to win at least two of their remaining three games to have any chance of negotiating their stay in the top-flight status on judgement day.
However, those remaining matches are tough and their best chance of a win is probably this Saturday at home to Linare.
After that Majantja face Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), who are looking to seal a top eight place, before they finish the season against an LDF side hungry for the top four.
If Majantja are to survive it won’t come easy, and they have to count on Galaxy dropping points.

Remaining games:

27/04 Majantja vs Linare (H)

11/05 Majantja vs LMPS (A)

18/05 Majantja vs LDF (H)

Galaxy

The Econet Premier League new boys can breathe a huge sigh of relief after their gutsy 1-0 win over Liphakoe last weekend.
The win may have bought the Maputsoe outfit another season in the elite league with the big boys.
Galaxy can’t afford to relax though, and they have a tough run-in which features Matlama, LMPS and LCS on the playlist.
Still, Galaxy have done well to get this far in the marathon.
At the turn of the year Galaxy were cramping in the relegation zone and they appeared set for a swift return to the first division.
Now it looks as though Galaxy will make it safely across the finish line and live to fight another day.

Remaining games:

28/04 Galaxy vs Matlama (H)

12/05 Galaxy vs LCS (A)

18/05 Galaxy vs LMPS (H)

Econet Premier League standings:

Advertisement		P	W	D	L Advertisement	GF	GA	GD	Pts.
1 Advertisement	Matlama	22	17	2	3 Advertisement	45	11	+34	53
2 Advertisement	Bantu	22	14	6	2 Advertisement	46	9	+37	48
3 Advertisement	LCS	23	13	7	3 Advertisement	31	12	+19	46
4 Advertisement	LDF	23	10	7	6 Advertisement	18	17	+1	37
5 Advertisement	Lioli	23	11	3	9 Advertisement	27	17	+10	36
6 Advertisement	Kick4Life	23	10	5	8 Advertisement	24	25	-1	35
7 Advertisement	Liphakoe	24	7	9	8 Advertisement	21	20	+1	30
8 Advertisement	LMPS	23	8	6	9 Advertisement	18	17	+1	30
9 Advertisement	Sefotha-fotha	23	6	11	6 Advertisement	20	22	-2	29
10 Advertisement	Likhopo	22	9	2	11 Advertisement	20	35	-15	29
11 Advertisement	Linare	23	5	7	11 Advertisement	17	27	-10	22
12 Advertisement	Galaxy	23	5	4	14 Advertisement	15	27	-12	19
13 Advertisement	Majantja	23	4	3	16 Advertisement	19	50	-31	15
14 Advertisement	Swallows	23	2	6	15 Advertisement	12	44	-32	12

Sports

Lefa to shake up coaches

Published

1 day ago

January 20, 2025

The Post

MASERU

The Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) is set to carry out a major shake-up of the country’s national team coaches.

The significant changes are expected to affect “all the coaching and support staff rosters” of Lesotho’s national teams.

According to a leaked internal memo, the only coaching staff that are expected to remain intact are that of the senior men’s team, led by Leslie Notši, and the Under-20 men’s side under Halemakale Mahlaha.

The positions of all other national coaches in the men’s and women’s sides are going to be reviewed with the expectation that coaches will be replaced.

LEFA held a press conference yesterday to outline the potential changes which were first revealed in an internal memo issued on Monday by LEFA’s secretary general Mokhosi Mohapi.

According to the memo, the tenures of all national team staff ended on December 31 with the exception of the men’s senior national team technical personnel and Under-20 team.

LEFA clarified that the tenures of those two national team staff members had been extended until January 31.

That move was made to allow LEFA’s new National Executive Committee, which was elected in November, enough time to deliberate on whether to retain or release the coaches in charge of Likuena and the Makoanyane XI.

Mohapi headed a press briefing yesterday, which was also attended by LEFA’s president, Advocate Salemane Phafane, where he addressed the developments.

“We know the sentiments, when we sit we evaluate, there are reports that were called during the month of November, we look at the reports, those reports will say how you have performed and whether there is a case for reinstatement,” Mohapi said.

Team performance is one factor that counts.

For Likuena, it has been a topsy-turvy 12 months.

Lesotho reached the final stage of 2025 African Nations Championship qualifying but ultimately fell at the last step, 2-1 on aggregate to Angola, depriving Likuena what would have been their first-ever appearance at a continental finals.

However, Likuena were disappointingly knocked out in the group stages of the 2024 COSAFA Cup last July.

For now, Likuena remains in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and LEFA is cautious about disrupting their progress.

Lesotho are in Group C alongside Rwanda, South Africa, Benin, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

They are fourth on the log with five points from four games and are only two points behind the leaders in what has been an impressive qualifying effort so far.

“We are not going to be oblivious to certain performances that deserve to be elongated, and let’s be fair; in that (internal memo) it does communicate with the exception of a team (Likuena) that is in competition. We will not destabilise it because a term has to be this way,” he said.

Mohapi also said Under-20 coach Mahlaha is exempted owing to a two-year contract he signed.

However, Mehalalitoe head coach Shalane Lehohla, who was engaged for a year, faces review.

“As for Mahlaha, he was given two years, and he was engaged later. Shalane always knew he was taking the (women’s national) team for a year, but don’t look at the coaches only, look at the backroom staff as well, the analysis will be made like the president said,” Mohapi said.

“The cake is too big, it has to be given to others to see if they can cook,” he added.

Decisions by LEFA NEC’s are expected after a meeting tomorrow.

Tlalane Phahla

Sports

New kit for Likuena

Published

1 day ago

January 20, 2025

The Post

MASERU

The Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) has launched a new kit, manufactured by English sportswear giant Umbro, for the country’s national football teams.

This new strip replaces previous versions and will go on sale immediately.

On the field, the kit is set to be debuted during the March international break when Likuena takes on South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Lesotho’s new trim boasts unique features that distinguish it from earlier editions with Umbro and even includes security features to prevent counterfeiting.

The new home kit is predominantly white with four horizontal stripes across the belly, compared to three lines in the previous designs. The strip also features shades of blue.

According to LEFA, the elements ensure the kit is unique and difficult to fake, even if attempts are made to replicate it.

The away kit is green with many of the distinct features of the home kit being even more visible.

The blue leisure kit, meanwhile, adds another dimension to the team’s apparel line-up.

LEFA’s Secretary General, Mokhosi Mohapi, said work has already begun on the next designs, which could be revealed in a year’s time.

The fresh kit comes as part of a new three-year contract with Umbro.

LEFA said the deal offers improved terms compared to the previous agreement between the two parties.

Notably, this time kids’ replicas are available along with special cuts for women. The new kit replicas will be sold for M600.

To ensure the new kit gets proper market traction, LEFA will withhold sales of the national sides’ old kits.

Speaking at yesterday’s launch at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena, LEFA’s president, Advocate Salemane Phafane, emphasised the importance of the national team’s kit.

“(The) national team kit is a big thing because it is a sign that differentiates who you are from others.

“It is not just about wearing it (the kit). To us it is a flag, and we respect it. Of course, above (everything), it’s the national flag,” Phafane said.

“We agreed that even if we improve and change, we should not abandon our identity, and that’s the first edition of our jersey, we don’t want to go far away from it,” he said.

Phafane also revealed that Umbro exceeded their contractual obligations by providing additional sets of jerseys for free.

“While we were waiting for the kit, they sent two sets of Likuena’s jerseys that are not part of the contract,” Phafane said.

“(Umbro) also sent two sets of the women’s (national team) kit. We received four sets of kits for free and they are not part of the contract.”

Tlalane Phahla

Sports

Ramakongoana off to World Athletics Championships

Published

1 week ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

Lesotho Olympian Tebello Ramakongoana has booked a ticket to the 2025 World Athletics Championships after finishing second at the C&D Xiamen Marathon in China on Sunday.

Ramakongoana ran a brilliant race at the global event, and he finished in a Lesotho record time of 2:06:18 hours, just 12 seconds shy of first place.

Ethiopian Dawit Wolde secured title ahead of Ramakongoana in a time of 2:06:06.

Ramakongoana’s time has earned him automatic qualification to the World Championships set to be held in Tokyo in September this year and his performance in China took 1:40 minutes off the national record he set when he finished seventh at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

When speaking to local media, Ramakongoana’s American coach, James McKirdy, said the weather was warm but after 10 kilometres the sun appeared.

He said Ramakongoana ran a mostly strategic race with the focus to be amongst the front pack in the early stages of the race.

After 35km, the Olympian increased tempo and pushed the leading pack of 12 men that was a deciding point on who would make the podium.

From there the numbers in the leading group started to dwindle and with two kilometres to go, only four were in the running for podium places.

“(By) pushing hard, Tebello finished in 2:06:18 and earned 2nd place, both his time and his finishing position earned him the automatic standard for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo later this year,” McKirdy said.

“The Xiamen Marathon is an out and back course with moderate hills along the coast of China.

“Tebello’s time was also under the former course record and now sits as the second fastest time ever run for the event,” he continued.

The athlete is currently abroad in the United States where he is based and training.

He was Lesotho’s standout performer at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Ramakongoana finished fourth at the 2023 World Athletics Championships and he will hope to claim a medal at this year’s games scheduled to be held from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo, Japan.

Tlalane Phahla