LuciahPhahla

Maseru

Matlama communications and marketing manager Tankiso Moletsane says all the pressure is on Lioli as the title rivals head into the home straight of the championship race.

With five matches to go, the teams are tied on 41 points at the top of the Vodacom Premier League with ‘Tse Putsoa’ having emerged as a genuine contender to steal Lioli’s crown.

Matlama are on a four-match winning streak, the longest current run in the league, and Moletsane said they can ride the wave to the finish line without being weighed down by the expectations facing reigning champions Lioli.

“Pressure will always be there and being level with Lioli might get to our players but its Lioli that is more under pressure because they are the defending champions and they may think they are the powerhouse in the country,” Moletsane said.

Moletsane pointed to Lioli’s recent form in the premiership.

Lioli have collected just six points from the last 12 available which has raised hopes at Pitso Ground this may be the year their championship drought ends.

Matlama are without silverware since winning the league in 2010.

“We are confident about the league and we will go all out to win it this season. It’s the only thing we are left with after missing the two cups (Independence Cup and Lesotho National Insurance Group Top 8),” Moletsane asserted.

The decider for the Vodacom Premier League title may potentially be on April 30 when Matlama and Lioli meet in a clash that has already been pencilled down by supporters.

However, before then, Matlama face another epic test on Sunday against Bantu at Setsoto Stadium.

Despite the sizable gains of recent weeks, ‘Tse Putsoa’ can’t afford slips that could hand the advantage to Lioli.

Moletsane admitted as much insisting they are not reading too much into Bantu’s dismal showing at last weekend’s LNIG Top 8 finals and calling the Mafeteng giants a wounded lion.

He, however, expressed confidence. In December, Matlama beat Bantu 1-0 in the sides’ first league meeting.

“We will not undermine Bantu at all, they are a wounded lion. But, all we need is three points,” Moletsane said. “We beat them in the first round and at that time we were without our match winners (Mabuti Potloane and Jane Thaba-Ntšo) and they will be available this weekend.”

Victory will remain a difficult task however with Bantu spokesman Motlatsi Mofokeng promising their star-studded line-up will give a response against Matlama.

Bantu go into the clash after morale-sapping defeats at the hands of Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) and Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) in the LNIG Top 8 last weekend.

Mofokeng revealed Bantu undermined LCS in their 1-0 LNIG Top 8 semi-final loss and swore they will approach Sunday’s game with a different mind-set.

He warned ‘Tse Putsoa’ not to expect any favours because Bantu also need all three points in their quest to secure a top four place. ‘A Matšo Matebele’ trail fourth-placed Sandawana by two points.

“LCS was very determined and more willing to fight than our players. With the fact that we beat them in the league (the week before), our players thought they were going to do the same thing but we were in for a surprise. They put us under pressure and left us frustrated,” Mofokeng said.

“We will come with a new approach for this game because we are now left with making it into the top four and we have no choice but to beat Matlama. We are desperate for three points. I have heard people talking and saying if we beat Matlama then we would be making things easier for Lioli. That is none of our business, we want the top four we cannot miss it,” he affirmed.

With the Matlama-Bantu showdown on Sunday, ‘Tse Putsoa’ may go into the game adrift of Lioli with the champions hosting ninth-placed Liphakoe on Saturday at Setsoto.

It is the beginning of the tit-for-tat the Vodacom Premier League race will be from now on.

On paper, Lioli would appear to have the easier run-in with games against relegation haunted Liphakoe, Rovers and Linare on their five-match end of season menu. Matlama, on the other hand, have Bantu this weekend and a game against third-placed LCS still to come. But, anything can happen.

It is championship time and the race begins in earnest this weekend.

Sports

Ramakongoana off to World Athletics Championships

Published

4 days 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

4 days 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

4 days 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