Moorosi Tsiane
LDF coach Motheo Mohapi is confident that the off-season acquisitions will add vitality to his ageing squad of last season as he works to bring back the glory days to the side that last won the league title in the 2004/05 season.
LDF who are sixth on the 14-team Econet Premier League standings have so far played four matches, winning two and losing the same number.
They are the second most successful team in the premier league with eight league titles to their name, one less than Matlama.
They acquired 12 players during the off-season who are yet to feature for the army side as they had to first undergo training as LDF employees.
The players are striker, Thabo Mongali and goalkeeper, Teboho Ratibisi (formerly of Likhopo), midfielder, Tšepo Toloane (Liphakoe) and striker Thabang Rabi, (LCS), Letlatsa Moshoeshoe (Linare).
Morena Moloi (Sandawana), Lebona Malebanye (Majantja), Ntlhoki Ntlhoki (Manonyane), Lebohang Kekhemane (Linare), Khaolo Moholeng (B Division), Tumisang Khubetsoana (CCX) and Thabo Kori (BB Warriors) also joined.
Mohapi said the players had since completed their training and linked up with the rest of the team.
“We couldn’t start the league with them because they had to complete their training but they are back in the team and coping well,” Mohapi said, adding the newcomers had brought energy and improved competition within the club.
“New players will do everything to break into the first team and the old ones will work even harder to keep their places.
“That is good and healthy competition which the team needs and it is only a matter of time before we become the team to beat.
“We have prepared well and we just need to apply ourselves in the league matches.”
He further said the title race was still wide open and they could still win it despite their somewhat stuttering start.
“We have played four matches and collected six points which is not really bad. The league is still open and anything can happen because there is only a six point gap between us and the log leaders who will play us after two matches.
“Lioli are second but there are only four points separating us.
“So we need to work hard and take LDF back to where it used to be among the country’s best, not just a middle table team,” Mohapi said.