Kick4Life, LCS renew rivalry

Moorosi Tsiane

LCS will be hoping to return to winning ways when they clash with Kick4Life in an Econet Premier League match at LCS Ground at 1pm today.

The correctional service side went to the international break on the back of a 1-0 to loss to Bantu. The loss saw them relinquish the top spot of the 14-team table to Matlama.

On the other hand Kick4Life also went to the break after a 1-0 loss against Liphakoe.

Before this weekend’s fixtures, LCS were second on the log and coach Mpitsa Marai says his charges are ready do battle with Kick4Life.

“We have recovered from the Bantu loss thanks to this international break and I think my charges are ready for the Kick4Life challenge,” Marai told the Sunday Express.

“This is going to be a tough challenge for us because Kick4Life are not pushovers. Of course, they have not won many matches but they are also not losing matches so it shows that they are not to be taken for granted.”

Marai said this was his side’s best start in three seasons and he hopes they remain consistent in winning matches.

“Compared to the last two seasons, we have started this season a relatively better side and I am impressed by my side. We just need to be consistent and ensure that we keep on winning. The loss to Bantu worked against us because we dropped from the top of the table but we are still hopeful to bounce back,” Marai said.

The former Likuena defender said the break has helped his side to recover and also gave the injured players time to heal.

“This break came at the right time after we had just lost a very important match. And it gave us time to go back to the drawing board to rectify the mistakes we made in the Bantu match. Secondly, we had to identify what it is that we were doing well to help us win matches as we have done so far,” he said.

LCS have 10 points from five games having won three, lost one and drawn one.

Masheshena, as LCS are affectionately known, welcome veteran defender, Poloko “Chibase” Mohale who has been out injured.

“We are ready for this match and the positive is that our defender Chibase has started training with the team and hopefully he will be ready to play by Sunday (today),” Marai said.

Kick4Life coach Bob Mafoso also conceded that this would be a tough match but said they had used to break to work on their weaknesses.

“We have so far played against teams that are in the top five and LCS are not an exception.

“The break came at the right time. I don’t have much to say about the Liphakoe match but it was not easy for us as we had played Bantu two days before so it was always going to be a tough test in terms of our players’ fitness. I think we didn’t manage that load well but we are over it and have recovered,” Mafoso said.

In other league matches, Bantu host LMPS at Maputsoe DIFA Ground while Lioli welcome LDF to wrap up the double header at LCS Ground.