Moorosi Tsiane
LCS will be hoping resuscitate their seventh Premier League title hopes when they visit struggling LDF at Ratjomose Ground this afternoon.
The Mpitsa Marai coached outfit will be hoping to turn over their mid-week 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sefotha-fotha. The loss saw the side missing an opportunity to leapfrog Matlama into the pole position on the log standings.
Before this weekend’s round of matches, LCS were second with 40 points while Matlama who were up against Kick4Life yesterday were still leading the pack with 41 points.
LDF on the other hand, have been struggling for results as they have gone for four matches without a win before beating Linare 1-0 on Wednesday at Ratjomose.
Sohle-Sohle are sixth with 30 points after 19 matches and Marai told the Sunday Express that the midweek loss cost his side.
“The mid-week loss was a huge setback and has left most of our players with dented confidence but as the technical team, we have tried to talk to them and show them that apart from the loss, bouncing back is more important,” Marai said.
“Hopefully the LDF match will find us ready because there is still too much to fight for.”
Marai, who was a defender during his days at LCS, said playing their arch rivals LDF has never been easy even during their playing days with the LDF coach Motheo Mohapi.
“LDF have never been easy opponents even back in our playing days so we are already expecting a tough battle and I think the results will be determined by how both teams have prepared. They come into the match with high spirts following their win against Linare so it’s not going to be easy,” he said.
Fish, as Marai is popularly known, said they are not worried about Matlama as they want to focus on their matches.
“How Matlama plays doesn’t really worry us now, what is expected from us is to focus on our matches and ensure that we stop losing points unnecessarily. We have to take each match as it comes and see where that leaves us when the league ends,” Marai said.
On his part, LDF communications and marketing manager Tony Ntakha, echoed Marai’s sentiments that it will be a tough encounter.
“It is one of the toughest matches in our league and we have to approach it with utmost respect while also being cautious. We are desperate for points just like LCS, so I guess it is going to be an entertaining match,” Ntakha said.
Ntakha said their mid-week win against Linare was a boost for his side which has lately struggled for results.
“We played Linare on Wednesday and the win was helpful as we prepared for a tougher encounter. The win came at the right time and will surely boost the morale in the LCS clash.
“Our other challenge now is that we are not scoring but the coaches have been hard at work trying to work on that,” Ntakha said.
Elsewhere, Bantu play Linare at Setsoto Stadium while Lioli will be at home against Liphakoe in Teyateyaneng.