Teboho Molapo
LDF…………….(1) 5
Nyenye Rovers……(0) 1
MASERU — Two things will always be true about football.
One, it is a cruel game and, two, experience does count.
Yesterday, Nyenye Rovers players walked away from Ratjomose having produced a skilful 90 minutes of football but they had been roundly trounced on the scoreboard — leaving them marooned fourth from bottom of the log as the first round of Premiership matches end this afternoon.
If Rovers had been more decisive in their attack, maybe the story could have been different.
But this has been the story of Rovers’ season so far — good play but no end product. Indeed, when Moli Lesesa scored a penalty in the 78th minute, it was Rovers’ first and last shot on target.
As usual, LDF waste no time. Their style is simple. Get the ball forward and score goals.
By the 8th minute of the match, Sohle-Sohle had taken the lead when Mojela Letsie diverted a long ball from defence into Tsepo Keketsi’s path, who calmly slotted past Baholo Sefatsa. Probably that was the moment the three points were won.
But the thumping that eventually happened never seemed possible in the first half. As the opening stanza progressed, the visitors grew in confidence.
With dangerous winger Montoeli Senopo running fearlessly at the LDF defence, Rovers looked as though they could score. But they didn’t, because they never took many shots at goal.
Agitated, LDF coach Kolisang Seutloali gave his side a tongue-lashing at halftime. Get back to the basics was the message. Hit the ball long to the strikers and stop fooling around.
His players listened.
Five minutes into the second half, it was 2-0. Three minutes later, it became 3-0, Keketsi completing his brace before the evergreen Malefetsane Pheko flicked in at the near post.
Thereafter, LDF’s experience told as they sucked the energy out of Rovers through age-old, time-wasting tactics.
Rovers still had their moments, and Senopo in particular, will count himself unlucky he was on the losing side. But the lesson for Rovers will be simple — be more decisive in attack.
After Lesesa’s well-taken penalty, Letsie and substitute Mokoenanyane Moahloli added goals number four and five in the 89th and 93rd minute, to send LDF top of the Vodacom Premier League — at least for 24 hours.
Lioli — who were top of the log-standings going into yesterday’s matches — face Linare this afternoon.
Meanwhile, the date for Matlama’s Premiership clash with Lioli has been set. The match, which was due to have been played on December 12, will be played next Saturday at Pitso Ground.
Yesterday’s results: Bantu 3-2 Rovers; Majantja 3-2 Swallows; Likhopo 3-0 Joy; LDF 5-1 Nyenye Rovers
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