Moorosi Tsiane
LDF coach Motheo Mohapi says it will be business as usual when his side takes on in form Bantu in the quarterfinal of the MGC Soccer Spectacular Setsoto Stadium today.
The soccer competition, along with the Cheletsane Half-Marathon will form part of Matekane Group of Companies’ (MGC) celebrations during the official opening of their Mantšonyane Project set for 15 April 2019. The Mantšonyane Project is the brainchild of MGC founder Sam Matekane where the company has built primary and secondary schools, sports facilities and a church for the community as part of its social corporate initiative (CSI).
Eight Premier League clubs (Matlama, Bantu, Lioli, Kick4Life, Likhopo, LDF, LCS and Sefotha-fotha) were selected to vie for the two semifinal spots of the soccer spectacular which started yesterday at Setsoto Stadium.
The two semifinalists will battle it out with two lower division teams from Mantšonyane, Thaba-Tseka next Saturday and all four teams are guaranteed a M100 000 appearance fee.
Mohapi told the Sunday Express that the tournament came at the right time when they are in the process of rebuilding their team and it will give his youth studded side with needed exposure.
“This tournament came at the right time because now we are in a phase where we are trying to build this team and create a bigger pool of players because we have noticed that our main challenge is lack of depth,” Mohapi said.
“So, it is now our chance to give our other young players a run without any pressure.”
Mohapi said they would concentrate more on how they want to develop their side instead of their opponents today.
“We are playing a team that is currently in its best form but that is not our focus because we need to create a bigger pool. So our thrust is on how we are going to achieve that and of course, to get that exposure one needs to play with the best,” he said.
The former Likuena midfielder also admitted that being part of the four teams to play in Mantšonyane will also be a financial boost as the M100 000 appearance fee will come in handy for their day to day running of the team.
“We also need to ensure that we qualify for the next round because just like any other team, we are also struggling financially so the at M100 000 will help us in the running of the team,” Mohapi said.
Bantu coach James Madidilane echoed Mohapi’s sentiments saying he would use his fringe players in the tournament for them to get some game time.
“This tournament serves the same purpose as pre-season tournaments although it comes in the middle of the season, so we will rest some of the key players and give fringe players a run.
“These players all has contracts here so this is their time to prove themselves and show us what they are made of. They need to use this chance,” Madidilane said.
He said the current league break will give his charges a chance to rest as they had a busy schedule in the festive competing in both CAF Champions’ League and Confederations’ cup.
“We had a busy festive season and we didn’t really get time to rest and one could see that fatigue was kicking in for some of the players so this is a chance for them to rest although we still have players who travelled with the national team to South Africa in preparation for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Cape Verde…,” Madidilane said.
The second match will see Lioli going head-to head with Kick4Life and the winners of this match will play the winners of Bantu versus LDF tie later in the afternoon.