Pascalinah Kabi
MASERU — League leaders Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) will square off against Joy in Leribe this afternoon knowing victory against the Leribe side will deliver a league title for the second year in a row.
LCS are leading the Vodacom Premier League log with 38 points after 19 matches and a win today will take them to an unassailable 41 points.
A victory for LCS would mean that even if the three teams behind them win all their remaining matches, they would still fall short of 41 points.
Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) are in second position with 34 points after 20 matches.
The army side have two league matches remaining and if they win them they will only be able to reach 40 points.
Masheshena — as LCS are known — have three games in hand before the end of the season.
Third and fourth-placed Bantu and Matlama have both collected 31 points from 20 matches. If they win their remaining two matches they will accumulate 37 points and would still be 10 points behind LCS.
LCS general secretary, Lehlohonolo Matlosa, told the Sunday Express on Friday that today’s game is a must-win for his side.
“We’ve talked with our boys about the importance of this match and they will go onto the pitch knowing very well that this is a must-win game,” Matlosa said.
He said they are aiming to win today’s game as they would want to play their remaining matches knowing very well they are league champions.
But as much as this is an important game for LCS, they are not putting themselves under pressure.
Matlosa said they were preparing for this game just like any other match in a bid not to exert unnecessary pressure on the players.
He added that they would be treading cautiously because Joy are not a walk-over.
Joy team manager, Tsepang Molapo, said the match against LCS would be a very tricky one.
“This is a very tricky game for both teams and we are under pressure as it is,” Molapo said.
“LCS will be looking to win the match and be crowned champions while for us this is a must-win tie as we need to avoid relegation,” he said.
Joy are currently in eighth position after collecting 23 points from 19 league matches.
They still have three games in hand against today’s opponent LCS, Mpharane Celtics and Bantu.
Molapo said they are going into today’s game without two key players who picked red cards in previous matches.
“Our coaches have assured us that they have a plan but not having two key players — Captain Basia Makepe and Mashoai Ramapulane for this crucial match makes us very cautious,” he said.
“But we are going to work extra hard to ensure we win the game,” he said.
Comments are closed.