Pascalinah Kabi
Matlama…………1
Joy.……………….2
MASERU — Matlama Football Club succumbed to a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of Joy FC in a pulsating league match at Pitso Ground yesterday.
Matlama took the lead in the 34th minute through an own goal scored by Joy midfielder Kabelo Ntsoana.
The goal appeared to galvanise Matlama who dominated possession in the first half.
But that dominance counted for naught as Matlama failed to add to their tally, as they squandered opportunity after opportunity in the first half.
Matlama captain, Nkau Lerotholi, once again proved why he is both the club’s and Leslie Notši’s first choice centre-back as he put a polished performance in defence, sweeping away any danger posed by Joy.
In the 23rd minute Lerotholi made a crucial intervention when he denied Ntoi Leneko a clear cut scoring opportunity.
He was at it again a few minutes later when he ensured that no Joy striker came anywhere near his goalkeeper Lerata Tsalong.
Tse Putsoa however failed to hold on to their one-nil lead when their visitors answered back just seconds before the break through a goal by Mpho Mofolo.
After the break, the visitors came with guns blazing and gave their hosts a run for their money.
Matlama were stunned in the 55th minute when Mofolo scored Joy’s second goal.
Joy FC coach, Motlatsi Thibanyane, was a happy man after the final whistle saying the victory was the beginning of many things to come for the Hlotse-based team.
“It was an important game. We were down on the log and we are now a step ahead after collecting maximum points today,” Thibanyane said.
He however said he was still not satisfied with his players’ lack of urgency during the game.
“A win is a win but we failed to match, Matlama leaving us to chase the game,” Thibanyane said.
“They were always much quicker on the ball, making dangerous passes.
“But I am happy that we successfully managed to defend and win the game,” he said.
On the other hand Matlama coach, Mokoena Mohale, was a disappointed man despite his youthful team’s first half dominance.
“We didn’t come to the party at all,” Mohale said.
“At one stage I thought it was just a first half fever and they were going to start playing well and win this match for us but we still failed to come to the party,” he said.
He said there was very little that separated the two clubs in terms of performance.
Mohale said they were now going back to the drawing board to correct their mistakes.
“The fact that we were not in the game has disappointed me and the supporters but we have to correct our mistakes,” he said.
He said it is the perfect time to work on his youthful players’ mentality.
“We must work on our players’ mind-set and make them see that they are now men not boys,” Mohale said.
“I believe that they must be made aware that even though they are young and play beautiful football, they must be man enough on the pitch and stop behaving like boys,” he said.
Other results:
Lioli 2 – Qoaling Highlanders 0
Likhopo 1 – Nyenye Rovers 0.