Teboho Molapo
Likhopo . . . . . 0
Lioli . . . . . . . . . 0
MASERU – Thabile Secker’s reign as Lioli coach got off to a solid start yesterday as Tse Nala played to a goalless draw with Likhopo at Central Prison.
The draw arrested a run of two consecutive defeats for Lioli.
In the end it was a precious point gained for the Teyateyaneng giants who are lying closer to the bottom of the Vodacom Premier League.
Tse Nala now have 16 points and Secker, who took over from Halemakale Mahlaha last week, has a solid base to build on.
That said it could have been so much better for the maroon army.
Although they never consistently set the Central Prison alight, an increased verve in the final third of the pitch meant Tse Nala had numerous chances to steal all three points.
The best of the bunch was Malebanye Ramoabi’s 71st minute thunderbolt which struck the underside of the crossbar and agonisingly landed on the safe side of the goal-line.
“Looking at where we are what we wanted is a win,” Secker said after the match.
“Our game was flowing but the finishing wasn’t good. In football you win by scoring goals so we are disappointed.”
Likhopo, the Vodacom Soccer Spectacular champions, for their part offered little throughout the game.
Despite their talented line-up they were laboured.
“We are not satisfied at all; there were a lot of administrative problems. At some point we were playing at Bambatha. It was nothing to do with the boys or the coach. We are disorganised and we are going to meet after the game,” Likhopo manager Qamako Mahao said afterwards.
“It definitely affected the boys. We were lucky that we survived the first half.”
Lioli were the better side in what was a quiet first half.
Within the first 15 minutes Ramoabi, after a good link play, and Shetsane Ramoseeka, after powering his way through midfield, had decent attempts at Kananelo Makhoane’s goal.
All-round it was a more flowing
performance by Lioli with fullbacks Pitso Monne and Lereko Matsipa always energetically seeking to provide width.
It was noticeable that while Likhopo were playing short passes Lioli were attempting more shots at goal than in recent games.
Their bombardment almost paid off in the 30th minute when Teboho Nkabane’s shot was spilt by Makhoane, but the Makoanyane XI keeper did well to smother Leutsoa Ntisa’s follow up.
All in all Lioli had eight attempts at goal in the first half.
Likhopo only had one, and it came in the 41st minute when Tsebang Lebata scuffed his shot wide after a counter-attack.
The second half wasn’t much different.
Six minutes into the half Bafokeng Mosala had a glorious opportunity to give Lioli the lead after good interchange with Montoeli Sonopo but again Makhoane came to Likhopo’s rescue.
The game swung firmly in Lioli’s favour when Likhopo anchorman Thabiso Mohapi was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 61st minute.
Five minutes later Ramoabi did well to find space in the box but went for glory when a pass would have been a better option.
Likhopo were visibly shaken and Makhabane Kotope was lucky to stay on the field after a dangerous tackle on Matsipa in the 68th minute.
In the 71st minute Ramoabi unleashed his trademark shot but it hit the crossbar and then two minutes from time Thabo Masualle missed another golden chance when he chose to chip than shoot from metres out.
“It’s not a relief (that we got a point),” Likhopo manager Mahao said.
“We still have a chance to win the league. Lioli is now an underdog and this is a match that we could have won.”
“There is something we can build on. The spirit was high today (but) we have to work on our goal-scoring,” Secker said.