Moorosi Tsiane
LDF’s hunt for their first Vodacom Premier League (VPL) win of the season continues after they were held to a goalless stalemate in a dull match played at LCS Ground yesterday.
This was the third successive draw for the Motheo Mohapi-coached outfit that have lost one and drawn four of their five matches so far.
On the other hand Masheshena have won two, lost one and drawn two of their five matches.
The match started on a slow pace with both sides failing to maintain ball possession.
Affectionately known as Sohle-Sohle, LDF looked a confused side playing without any direction while LCS’s midfield duo of Thabo Mafatle and Khethisa Masenyetse also failed to combine well.
The first real attempt at goal arrived in 40 minutes when a dangerous LCS set-piece from Motiki Mohale was denied by a good save from LDF goalkeeper Likano Mphuthi to keep his side into the match.
LDF made a double change bringing in forwards Mojela Letsie and Thabo Mphethe for Janefeke Molibeli and Tseliso Phera immediately after the break.
However there was not much difference after the breather as both sides struggled to keep the ball.
In a bid to unlock the LDF defence, LCS made their own changes, introducing Thabang Rabi and Lehlohonolo Lenka for Hopolang Mohlalefi and Leboneng Moqecho in 70th minute. LDF made their final substitution when they brought on Matli Matli for Koete Mohloai.
The substitutes sparked life in the correctional service side as they started to pile pressure on the LDF backline.
But the army side fought back and came close, forcing LCS goalkeeper Sam Ketsekile to save a well-directed Mphethe free header off a Paul Moloi cross down the right wing in the 77th minute.
LCS could have sealed a victory two minutes before time but Lenka was unlucky as his set-piece a metre from the penalty area just missed the target forcing the sides to settle for a point apiece.
Mohapi was not a happy man after the 90 minutes, saying his charges were nowhere to be found during the entire game.
“This is one of the worst matches we had this season, at least in our last matches our problem was just converting the chances we were creating but today it was a different game altogether. I don’t remember seeing us creating any clear-cut goal scoring opportunities,” he said, adding there was still a lot of work to be done especially as his team was full of inexperienced players.
LCS coach Mpitsa Marai sang a different tune as he expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance.
“I am satisfied with how we played and I cannot really complain as we created chances and failed to convert. I guess we just need to work hard on our finishing then all will be well,” Marai said.
Elsewhere in the VPL, LMPS continued with their good run as Tefa Makhoana’s brace helped them beat Rovers 2-0 and leapfrog Kick4Life to the summit of the 14-team league table.
Linare came from a goal down to secure a one-all draw with Sundawana at Maputsoe DIFA stadium.