Mikia Kalati
MASERU — Vodacom premier league champions, Lioli, ended the season in style when they beat Nyenye Rover 1-0 in Teyateyaneng yesterday.
Lehlohonolo Thotanyana’s side clinched the title last Sunday with a match to go after beating Mpharane Celtic 3-1 while closest competitors, Bantu, were held to a goalless draw killing any hopes of taking the championship to the wire on the last day.
Midfield kingpin, Bushy Moletsane, scored the only goal of the match when he easily tapped in a rebounding ball from Tšoanelo Koetle’s free kick that had hit the crossbar.
Rovers, who along Mpharane Celtic will be fighting for premier league survival in the relegation playoffs, also gave a brave fight but failed to get goals against the champions’ defence marshalled by captain Sheli Ramoseeka.
Lioli president, Lebohang Thotanyana, paid tribute to his team for the hard work that won them their second league title in five years.
“We are all very delighted with the achievements and the praise should go to the players and their coaches for the hard work,” Thotanyana said.
“The mandate was simply to take each game as it comes. Luckily the players’ never disappointed, they put their feet on the ground throughout the season and we are all proud that the plan worked well in the end,” he said.
The Lioli boss said Tse Nala technical team led by example and the players were also never big headed.
“We did everything to keep to keep them motivated and focused,” said Thotanyana.
Tse Nala skipper, Ramoseeka, was also full of praise for his teammates, his coaches and management of the club.
“It boiled down to hard work and remained motivated to be the best team in the league this season,” Ramoseeka said.
“We remained level headed and we were very hungry for success.”
The lanky defender also thanked the supporters of the club for their support during a tough season where they faced a tough fight with star studded Bantu for the league’s big prize.
Ramoseeka, alongside central defender Thabo Masualle, are among a few of Tse Nala players who won the league in the 2008/09 season.
Elsewhere, Bantu were held to a goalless draw by debutants Qoaling Highlanders.
Vodacom Premier League results.
Lioli 1-0 Nyenye Rovers
Bantu 0-0 Qoaling Highlanders
Matlama 0-1 Linare
LDF 1-0 Joy
Mpharane Celtic 1-5 LMPS
LCS 0-2 Likhopo
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