Ntobo jumps over Likhopo midfielder
Salebone Lekhooa during
Vodacom Premier League match at
Ratjomose ground
MASERU — Matlama and Likhopo will renew their rivalry when the two teams meet in a premier league encounter set for LCS Grounds this afternoon.
Though coming into the game as underdogs following their 1-0 loss to LMPS in their last Premier League encounter Likhopo have vowed to sink their rivals.
Both teams come into the game well rested following a three-week break for the Council of Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) Under-20 championships which was held in the country from December 3 to 14.
They had their games put on hold because they had players participating in the regional youth tournament.
In the last three matches Likhopo won two against Mphatlalatsane and Melele before they lost by one nil to the struggling police side.
Head coach Bishop Molatoli said they are more than determined to give the nine times premier league champions a run for their money.
He said their last match against LMPS should not be used as a yard stick to measure the outcome of today’s clash, since “that game is water under the bridge now”. He said they would settle for nothing less than a victory.
“We lost to LMPS in our last match but that does not determine how we are going to play today,” Molatoli said.
He however said his side had not had enough preparation time coming into this game as they were only notified of the game on Tuesday.
Molatoli is hopeful for a victory though the team is without the trio of Tumelo Khutlang, Seperiti Malefane and Thapelo Tale.
Khutlang and Malefane went missing after the just ended Cosafa Under-20 tourney in which they where representing Makoanyane XI.
Sharp striker, Tale, is nursing an injury.
Meanwhile in their last match, Matlama beat Qoaling Highlanders 1-0 away from home.
Matlama public relations officer, Ramafahla Thamae said the three-week break has worked in their favour.
“The break has worked wonders for us, it has given the management time to work on the players’ mentality,” Thamae said.
He said the long break had also helped some players who were nursing injuries to fully recover and get in training.
Thamae said his side is prepared to collect maximum points to finish the first round in a better placed to compete for league honours.
Likhopo come into this match sitting on the seventh with 18 points and two games in hand.
There are just two points behind fifth placed Matlama who have a game in hand.