Mikia Kalati
MASERU — Premier league giants Bantu and LCS will clash in the 2012 Independence Cup final at Setsoto Stadium this afternoon after winning their semi-final matches played at the same venue yesterday.
The two teams booked their place in the final after triumphing in penalty shoot-outs in yesterday’s semi-finals.
LCS were the first to book their place in the final after beating Matlama 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out.
The two teams had played a two-all draw in an exciting semi-final match earlier in the day.
Bantu also had to book their place in the finals through penalties.
The Mafeteng-based outfit beat LDF 9-8 in spot kicks in the second semi-final encounter after both failed to find the back of net over 90 minutes of the game.
Masheshena coach, Mosholu “Shoes” Mokhothu, told the Sunday Express after their win over Matlama that his side will have to be more clinical if they are to win this year Independence Cup trophy.
“We were not at our best in the semi-finals and we have to come back much prepared for the final because we are up against a quality side in Bantu,” Mokhothu said.
Mokhothu said the red card shown to the experienced Thulo Ranchobe in yesterday’s semi-final match against Matlama will be a huge blow to his side in today’s final.
“We would have loved to have him in the team because he is a good player, but we will have to soldier on without him,” said Mokhothu.
LCS defender and Likuena captain, Moitheri Ntobo, who suffered an injury scare in the semi-final encounter, said he will be ready for today’s battle against Bantu.
“I’m fine and will be fit to play in the final tomorrow,” said the lanky defender.
Newly appointed Bantu coach, Caswell Moru, told this paper that he is a happy man after his team managed to reach the final for the second successive year.
“We are the defending champions and we are relieved having beaten LDF to qualify for the final,” Moru said.
The Mafeteng-based outfit did not look convincing in yesterday’s semi-final match against LDF.
But the coach was confident his star-studded team will come back stronger in the final.
Newly signed defender Thapelo Mokhehle told the Sunday Express that he was happy to have helped his new team qualify for the final.
“We worked hard as a team and deserve to be in the final. We will have to work hard against a tough team like LCS to win the cup tomorrow,” he said.
The winners will walk away with
M50 000.
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