By Teboho Molapo
MASERU — The 2011/12 Vodacom Premier League season kicks off this weekend and all eyes will be on the 12 teams that will battle it out for the M100 000 first prize.
The Sunday Express takes a look at the contenders and the also-rans for the coming football season.
Bantu
Bantu have had a remarkable two years since they won promotion back to the premier league in the winter of 2009. A Matšo Matebele finished sixth in their first season back and last season came third.
They have continued to build in the off-season. The Mafeteng side have strengthened well in key areas in the transfer market and now have the quality that will be a threat to any side this season.
Last season: 3rd
This season: 2nd
Joy
There is little to choose between this season’s potential also-rans — namely Joy, Likhopo, Majantja, Maduma and Mpharane Celtics — however Joy have the slightest edge.
The Sebothoane outfit are as steady as they come and the main reason behind their continued stay amongst the big boys has been their fortitude of administration and stability. Joy continue to produce some young gems each season.
Last season: 10th
This season: 8th
LCS
Bantu have spent big and talked a big game in the off-season but it’s hard to look past the defending champions LCS who, despite winning the league, still give the sense of a team that is on the up and is yet to reach its potential. Masheshena have experience in abundance and they have a team that is ready to challenge for the league again.
The fact that Mosholi “Shoes” has beenappointed coach, with Mafa “Ribbo” Ramakau now the technical director, will only serve to add more fire in their bellies.
Last season: 1st
Prediction: Champions
LDF
LDF are the perennial challengers of Lesotho football and come what may they will be in the challenging pack at the end of this season. Sohle-Sohle are not eight time champions for nothing.
However, the question with LDF, as always, is whether over the course of a season they have the dynamism and the ability to create moments of magic, something that is usually the last piece of the puzzle when it comes to winning league titles. Despite housing the likes of Mojela Letsie and Molefe Lekoekoe in their ranks, LDF somehow still seem short in this department.
Last season: 2nd
This season: 3rd
Likhopo
Likhopo are caught between the rock and a hard place. They are set to lose the bulk of their talent with the bigger clubs hovering around like vultures. Six Likhopo players are said to be on their way out of the defending Vodacom Soccer Spectacular champions to local rivals while Thapelo Tale is in Serbia on trials. Despite the conveyer belt of talent they have, Likhopo have a struggle on their hands this season.
Last season: 7th
This season: 9th
Linare
Linare enjoyed a strong season last time out finishing fourth but there is always the question of consistency over the Leribe side. Last season Linare came within touching distance of winning their first league title since 1980 but fell off badly in the closing stages.
If Tse Tala can learn from their mistakes they have the quality to challenge for the top prize, but if they don’t Linare could struggle to make the top four this season.
Last season: 4th
This season: 5th
Lioli
Lioli have a more settled feel about them ahead of this season than they did last time out. Retšelisitoe Lephaila has been hired as Tse Nala’s coach and the side has trained well and without much fuss. Lioli have also been boosted by the return of talisman Sello ‘Muso who was lively and hungry in pre-season. However with Montoeli Sonopo set to leave, Lioli still don’t seem to have the firepower upfront to fire them into contention.
Last season: 8th
This season: 6th
LMPS
Fourth place is the hardest position to call at this stage. LCS, Bantu and LDF are a cut above the rest at this point in time but the last spot in the top four is seemingly up for grabs with traditional giants Linare, Lioli and Matlama all looking to have a say. Nonetheless LMPS have proven themselves to be a consistent, solid team and this will be crucial in a season where all teams will be getting used to a premier league with only 12 teams.
Last season: 6th
This season: 4th
Maduma
Second season syndrome is one of the most dangerous things in football — when a promoted team has done exceptionally well in their first season and then fail to replicate their form and fall badly by the wayside. This “disease” is what is facing Maduma this coming season. Last season the Khukhune side were an unknown quantity, this time they are an open book.
Last season: 9th
This season: 11th
Majantja
The newly promoted Mohale’s Hoek side have a mountain on their hands if they are to prolong their stay in Lesotho’s elite league. Majantja have signed — Thato Mabitle, Tente Molapo, Lefa Khooa, Mangana Maoela, Thabang Makhetha, Tanki Makhele and Keketso Khotso in an attempt to make the team more equipped for survival. However it remains to be seen how quickly they can gel in what will be a fast and furious season.
Last season: A-Division champions
This season: 10th
Matlama
Like their rivals Lioli, it’s hard to know what to expect from Tse Putsoa. The 2009/10 champions are set to lose Litšepe Marabe and Tšoanelo Koetle to Botswana outfit Flamengo Santos.
Both have been keys to the team’s success. in Marabe, Tse Putsoa will lose a player who has topped their goal charts for the past two seasons. However, such is the stature and quality of the side Matlama still managed to finish fifth last season despite all their troubles. Nevertheless, new coach Mokoena Mohale has a job on hands in turning the nine-time champions into genuine contenders.
Last season: 5th
This season: 7th
Mpharane Celtics
Mpharane Celtics blazed a trial in the first division last season stylishly marching their way to promotion. However the Leribe side will face an entirely prospect this season, namely better quality of opponents and a more cut-throat environment, meaning they will have little time to acclimatise.
To make matters worse, in the six previous Premiership seasons eight of the 12 teams which were promoted went straight back down.
Last season: A-Division champions