Mikia Kalati
MASERU — The premier league season will roar into life with a double header which will see LMPS hosting Linare and LCS against Joy at the Lesotho Correctional Service ground on August 24. LMPS coach, Lelia Makubakube, told the Sunday Express that his team is ready for the opening match of the new campaign where they will face a Linare side that has been on fire in the pre-season.
The Hlotse-based team that had gone for three decades without a trophy beat both Bantu and Matlama to lift the pre-season King’s Soccer Spectacular tournament.“I think we are almost there and ready for the new season,” Makubakube said.
“We have been busy preparing like the other teams and we are looking forward to the start of the new campaign.” Makubakube said he has no new additions in the team but is however confident that his experienced side will be able to compete. “There are no new players in our team and I believe the current squad is capable of doing us proud in the new season,” Makubakube said.
“I am hoping that unlike in the past seasons we would not have a slow start as it is the reason that we are not going to play in the Top Four tournament in October,” he said. League champions, Lioli, will open their title defence against Mpharane Celtic on August 25. Tse Nala, as Lioli are affectionately known, have been the busiest team in the off season when they signed close to 10 players.
They have already signed the Joy duo of Jeremiah Kamela and Basia Makepe.
Lioli will be under the mentorship of Mosholu ‘Shoes’ Mokhothu who replaced veteran Lehlohonolo Thotanyana who led the club to the league success last season. Mpharane Celtic on the other hand survived relegation during the playoffs.
The club have also lost star player Lebajoa Mosehlenyana who is involved in a tug-of-war between Linare and Lioli for his services. Lioli’s communications and marketing manager, Moeketsi Pitso, has declared his team ready to defend title. Last season’s runners-up Bantu will host Qoaling Highlanders on the second day of the new campaign.
Highlanders, who are in their second year of top flight football, held A Matšo Matebele to a goalless draw in the last meeting between the two sides also played in Mafeteng. Bantu now have a new coach in former Likhopo mentor, Motlatsi Shale, who will be without star winger Litšepe Marabe who has left for greener pastures in South Africa.
The club is also without Pali Tšalong who has rejoined Matlama alongside midfielder Tefo Maipato while Lekhanya Lekhanya has joined rivals Lioli.
Other interesting matches on the opening weekend will see Matlama face newly promoted Mphatlalatsane while LDF will host Likhopo.
Opening premier
league fixtures:
Saturday August 24
LMPS v Linare
LCS v Joy
Sunday August 25
Nyenye Rovers v Melele
Matlama v Mphatlalatsane
LDF v Likhopo
Bantu v Qoaling Highlanders
Lioli v Mpharane Celtic