…as Bantu wallop Mphatlalatsane to maintain pole position on the Premiership log
Moorosi Tsiane
LDF registered a hard-fought 2-1 victory over stubborn Likila United in a Vodacom Premier League match played at Ratjomose Ground yesterday.
A goal apiece from winger Tšeliso Phera and defender Mokoena Moahloli, helped the army outfit to the much-needed win while Leoa Mafelesi scored Likila’s consolation.
Yesterday’s win helped LDF to quickly bounce back following last weekend’s 3-1 humiliation by Bantu in Mafeteng.
In yesterday’s tie, both teams were cautious in their approach but the home side still drew first blood a minute before halftime break, with Phera burying a well-curled cross by Thabo Mphethe which Likila defender, Motsoakela Ramasimong, failed to clear.
However, the visitors started the second stanza like a house on fire, throwing everything they had at the army side and their efforts nearly paid off in the 48th minute but LDF goalkeeper, Likano Mphuthi, was clever enough to stop a Tšeliso Chenene free-header from Lechaena Tjemo’s free kick.
League rookies Likila never gave up and kept on piling pressure on LDF and were soon rewarded with a well-placed shot into the far corner by Mafelesi in the 53rd minute, following a defence-splitting pass by Ntsikoe Kapu.
Likila made a double substitution of Pheello Sephooana and Kefuoe Mabaleha, who came in for Kapu and Motlatsi Tlali while midfield maestro Molefe Lekoekoe and Koete Mohloai were introduced for Paseka Lebata and Paul Moloi by LDF.
Sohle-Sohle, as LDF are affectionately known, then narrowly missed the chance to get back into the lead when Phera failed to score with an empty net beckoning following Tjemo’s defensive blunder that forced keeper, Thapelo Thupane, to leave his territory as he tried save the situation on the hour mark.
However, four minutes later, LDF grabbed the lead from Moahloli’s tap-in from Tšolo Mokopane’s corner.
The home side were now back dominating the match and could have wrapped up the match with a more comprehensive win but Mphethe’s goal was disallowed for offside four minutes before the final whistle.
In a post-match interview, LDF coach, Malefetsane Pheko said the win was very important and would help to boost his charges’ morale going into the next match.
“We did not play well at all in our last three matches, as we lost two and drew one so I think today’s win will be a morale-booster for my players going into the next fixture,” Pheko said.
On his part, Likila coach, Lepenya Borotho said he was disappointed with the result and blamed the lackluster performance on the two-week break during which his team did not play any competitive match.
“This two-week break really affected us. You could easily tell by how my boys played and I was not impressed at all by the performance. We failed to play our normal passing game and we conceded some easy goals due to miscommunication between the players,” Borotho said.
Elsewhere yesterday, Bantu hammered Mphatlalatsane 3-0 St Monica’s to cement their position at the top of the 14-team Premier League table.
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