Sports

LDF Ladies stamp authority

Published

2 years ago

February 14, 2023

MASERU – Ruthless, merciless, heartless, rampant, unstoppable – we are simply running out of words to describe the dominance Lesotho Defence Force Ladies (LDF) have exerted on women’s football.

And just when you think their dominance could not get any worse, they take it a step further.

The cold and harsh truth is that LDF Ladies have no peers in the Women Super League (WSL) and it will be a long time before anyone will emerge as serious challengers to the champions.

That point was again made vividly clear when LDF crushed second-placed Kick4Life 4-0 on Sunday in what was expected to be a tight league encounter between Lesotho’s top two sides.

Kick4Life Ladies have tried gamely to challenge LDF in the past and have come closest to putting the brakes on the high-speed the LDF train that leaves destruction wherever it passes.

Two years ago, Kick4Life beat LDF 2-1 in the final of the Dare to Dream pre-season championship which was the army side’s first-ever loss in a final.

The victory was celebrated across the league because it was seen as the humbling LDF needed after being the bullies of the WSL since its inception in 2015.

LDF Ladies, who were called Likhosatsana in the inaugural WSL season, have won every league title barring one and there were faint hopes Kick4Life would knock LDF off their perch.

LDF Ladies were still coached by Lehloenya Nkhasi when they lost to Kick4Life in 2020 and little did anyone know that the current head coach Lengana Nkhethoa was watching from the stands, already plotting revenge.

Not being involved in the match gave him a clear picture of where the girls lost the final and what needed to change. On Sunday, Kick4Life felt Nkhethoa and the champions’ wrath.

LDF were superior in all departments and, knowing physicality of their opponents, Nkhethoa avoided physical confrontation against Kick4Life and preferred to play a passing game.

Nkhethoa, who was a hard-nosed defender for LDF’s men’s team in his playing days, said LDF Ladies lost the Dare to Dream final in 2020 because they played to Kick4Life’s strengths. That was not going to happen again.

“I realised when Kick4Life beat us that we were playing a similar type of football to them which was pressure football, where you shoot and run,” Nkhethoa said.

“I implemented a new style. As women we are already physical (on the field of play), so if we play long balls when we play each other we will have many injuries and so we worked on a passing game,” the LDF mentor explained.

It worked like a charm on Sunday.

LDF were 3-0 up by the 20th minute and the outcome was already sealed. Unsurprisingly, there was a slight dip in LDF’s performance in the second half which allowed Kick4Life to string passes together and cross the halfway line.

But LDF’s dullness did not last long.
Nkhethoa and his technical team shouted at the top of their voices to get the players’ focus back and LDF grabbed one goal for the road to make it 4-0 at fulltime.

“We instilled that (passing style) in them and right now they get it, even though they were a bit tired in the second half,” Nkhethoa said.

“We told them that if you play (Kick4Life’s) game they will beat you because they will push you and you will fall, that means more fouls and injuries. We needed to hold the ball and pass it. There is no team that can beat us if we are passing,” he said.

Why are LDF so dominant?
Many often ask that question and Nkhethoa said there is nothing special and no secret to tell.

If anything, LDF have frequently shared their recipe for success with other teams, he said. According to Nkhethoa, more focus must be put into the technical development of women footballers rather than their physicality.

“I was telling (other teams) that I want my team to have competition, I want us to play the same passing football,” Nkhethoa said.

“Let’s go back and teach our players the passing game. As much as we need to train them physically, but let’s work with the ball more than anything,” he added.

“They are women, they need more technique than anything else, so let’s work with the ball more than making them run without (the ball). That’s the only way we can help our league.”

The champions will be back in action this weekend when they take on fourth-placed FC Stoko and their focus has already shifted to claiming another scalp.

It is part of the commendable job Nkhethoa has also done of keeping his team hungry despite their success.

Success can make one complacent and Nkhethoa said his technical team continuously work with the players to ensure they stay focused which means being with them even in their private lives and making sure they are surrounded by people who are good influences, not just for their careers but their lives in general.

“There are those who drink but I try not only to coach them on the field, but even outside in their lives,” Nkhethoa said.

“I am always with them making sure they are okay and aren’t doing anything that would make them regret their careers ending because of their recklessness.”

Tlalane Phahla

Sports

Ramakongoana off to World Athletics Championships

Published

22 hours 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

Sports

Ramalefane request unsettles Matlama

Published

22 hours ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

Matlama’s season, brimming with potential and promise, now teeters on the brink of unnecessary distraction due to the off-pitch antics of goalkeeper Monaheng Ramalefane.

His request to be released from his contract after losing his starting position to Leluma Mofoka has sparked a debate about professionalism, teamwork, and respect for contracts in football on social media.

Ramalefane’s behaviour should be a reminder that football is a team sport, not a platform for individual egos.

It is the timing of his letter as well that leaves a sour taste, with Matlama sitting atop the Vodacom Premier League and preparing for a crucial game against Majantja.

It’s a moment when the club needs unity, not controversy.

Yet, Ramalefane’s actions could undermine the club’s campaign.

What makes this scenario even more remarkable is Ramalefane’s history.

He once was the young shot-stopper, benching senior goalkeepers to become Matlama’s number one.

Now, with Mofoka in the ascendancy, Ramalefane appears unable to cope with the same competition he once thrived in.

Instead of embracing the challenge, he has chosen to walk away, which raises questions about his mentality and commitment.

Such behaviour is disappointing, not just for Matlama but for the broader Lesotho football community.

Ramalefane has been on the national team radar, with many believing he had the potential to be Likuena’s number one.

However, his antics, including skipping national team duties in the past, suggest a worrying trend of indiscipline.

Talent alone is not enough; discipline and a strong work ethic are equally important, qualities that Ramalefane seems to be lacking.

Matlama’s management need to act decisively to prevent his discontent from spreading within the squad.

Allowing such behaviour to go unchecked could set a bad precedent.

However, I do think this is an opportunity for the goalkeeper to reflect.

Rather than seeking an easy exit, perhaps he should consider the impact of his actions on his teammates and the supporters.

It would be best for him to put his head down, work hard, and earn back his spot.

With the fans, who have supported Matlama through thick and thin, he is unlikely to have many sympathisers on his side.

I think the fans would respect and love a player who fights for his place rather than one who demands special treatment when things don’t go their way.

Ultimately, this situation is a test for Matlama as a club and Ramalefane’s maturity as a professional.

Tlalane Phahla

Sports

Double header at Bambata

Published

22 hours ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

The Vodacom Premier League resumes this weekend after the Christmas break, and football fans are gearing up for what should be an exciting second half of the season.

Five teams are in the race to claim the coveted premiership trophy and the exciting title chase has seen scores of football fans flock to the grounds this season.

What makes the league’s restart even more interesting is the open January transfer window, which adds another layer of excitement as enthusiasts follow along as clubs hustle to bolster their squads for the business end of the season.

On the field, the action gets underway on Saturday when the first double header of the New Year takes place at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena.

The first encounter will see Bantu, who are currently third on the log standings, take on bottom side ACE Maseru.

Title-chasing Bantu have an opportunity to close the gap on leaders Matlama to just two points with a victory, and ‘A Matšo Matebele’ would still have a game in hand.

ACE Maseru, other the other, remain winless this season and are rooted to the bottom of the table with only three points from 12 games.

As things stand, the premiership debutants require a miraculous turnaround if they are to avoid a swift return to the second tier.

In the second game of the double header, defending champions Lioli will take on another relegation threatened outfit in 15th-placed Mzamane.

A win for the champions would bring them within a point of leaders Matlama.

Matlama, for their part, have a difficult away game against Majantja in Mohale’s Hoek on Sunday.

Majantja, 10th on the log with 14 points, are aiming to finish in the top eight.

For Matlama, the match is critical to maintaining their lead but they will need to dig deep to secure maximum points on the road.

Elsewhere, Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) will take on Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) in a rivalry clash at Ratjomose Ground on Saturday.

The match is vital for both teams for different reasons.

Third-placed LMPS, currently level on points with Bantu, need a win to keep pace in the title race while 9th-placed LCS are desperate to kick-start what has been a disappointing campaign by their standards.

Lifofane and Linare’s encounter in Butha-Buthe is another game to lookout for.

Struggling Linare, who are languishing in 11th-place, will hope to gain some momentum against a Lifofane side that is riding high in sixth place.

The patience of Linare fans is wearing thin and a win is imperative for ‘Tse Tala’ to retain their supporters’ trust.

Weekend fixtures:

Saturday 11th January
Lioli vs Mzamane (Bambatha 16:30) (Live on FIFA+)
LCS vs LMPS (Ratjomose 16:00) (Live on FIFA+)
Bantu vs ACE Maseru (Bambatha 14:00)
Manonyane vs Machokha (Nyakosoba 16:00)
Sunday 12th January
Majantja vs Matlama (Mohale’s Hoek 16:00)
LDF vs Liphakoe (Ratjomose 16:00)
Lifofane vs Linare (Butha-Buthe 16:00)
Lijabatho vs LU FC (Morija 16:00)

Tlalane Phahla