Teboho Molapo
MASERU – Lesotho’s biggest club match takes place at Setsoto Stadium this afternoon.
It will be the first league game at the venue since renovations were completed last year and it is only fitting that it will be the country’s two shining lights doing battle.
Matlama and Lioli, teams with distinct histories, have been brought together by their football traditions and lust for dominance of Lesotho’s football landscape.
This is why this match is now called the Battle of Lesotho.
Its significance for the respective teams’ hopes this season cannot be overstated.
Matlama are in fifth place on the Vodacom Premier League log and are keen to retain their league crown.
Tse Putsoa simply have to win this afternoon if they are to remain in the race as they find themselves 11 points behind leaders LCS, even though they have a game in hand.
Lioli on the other hand have a top four finish in mind after their recent good form.
Tse Nala are on a two-match winning run and are unbeaten under Thabile Secker’s four matches in charge.
“I can’t talk about Matlama, but from the first whistle we will do everything to win the game,” Secker told the Sunday Express yesterday.
Matlama and Lioli played to a goalless draw on March 11 in a cagey affair dominated by the midfield but hampered by the poor quality of Tse Nala’s Teyateyaneng pitch.
The draw means Lioli are unbeaten in three encounters against Matlama.
Lioli beat Matlama 2-0 in the league last May before a 1-0 win in the Nthane Brothers Independence Cup in October.
“I’m confident with the whole team,” Secker said.
“It will be a hard fought game (but) the spirits are high in the team.”
Matlama could be boosted by the possible return of Litšepe Marabe after he played and scored the winner in a practice match on Wednesday.
Marabe has missed Matlama’s last four matches with a shoulder injury picked up on duty with the Makoanyane XI.
Tse Putsoa have struggled in front of goal in the player’s absence, scoring just once in their last three league games.
The Sunday Express spoke to Motlalepula ‘Maradona’ Majoro who has played for both teams.
“Every team that comes to face Matlama lifts their game, but Lioli don’t match us pound for pound,” said
Majoro who briefly coached Nyenye Rovers but is now back at Tse Putsoa where he is assistant coach to former teammate and another Matlama legend Mahao Matete.
“Lioli are not rivals, call them something else. Our rivals are LDF, Linare, and Arsenal,” he insists.
“Experience will count. When I look at Lioli it is their keeper (Mohau Kuenane), Thabo (Masualle) and Congo (Malebanye Ramoabi) who have big game experience.”
One thing Majoro does agree with is the importance of today’s game, one that could add a chapter in Setsoto’s history.
Matlama and Lioli met in Teyateyaneng on Moshoeshoe’s Day playing to a goalless draw.
But there is a feeling this afternoon’s can’t end that way – Matlama are still fighting to retain their premiership crown and Tse Nala are desperate for a top four place.
For Majoro victory against a challenger to Tse Putsoa’s status is everything. Teboho MolapoMASERU – Lesotho’s biggest club match takes place at Setsoto Stadium this afternoon.
It will be the first league game at the venue since renovations were completed last year and it is only fitting that it will be the country’s two shining lights doing battle.
Matlama and Lioli, teams with distinct histories, have been brought together by their football traditions and lust for dominance of Lesotho’s football landscape.
This is why this match is now called the Battle of Lesotho.
Its significance for the respective teams’ hopes this season cannot be overstated.
Matlama are in fifth place on the Vodacom Premier League log and are keen to retain their league crown.
Tse Putsoa simply have to win this afternoon if they are to remain in the race as they find themselves 11 points behind leaders LCS, even though they have a game in hand.
Lioli on the other hand have a top four finish in mind after their recent good form.
Tse Nala are on a two-match winning run and are unbeaten under Thabile Secker’s four matches in charge.
“I can’t talk about Matlama, but from the first whistle we will do everything to win the game,” Secker told the Sunday Express yesterday.
Matlama and Lioli played to a goalless draw on March 11 in a cagey affair dominated by the midfield but hampered by the poor quality of Tse Nala’s Teyateyaneng pitch.
The draw means Lioli are unbeaten in three encounters against Matlama.
Lioli beat Matlama 2-0 in the league last May before a 1-0 win in the Nthane Brothers Independence Cup in October.
“I’m confident with the whole team,” Secker said.
“It will be a hard fought game (but) the spirits are high in the team.”
Matlama could be boosted by the possible return of Litšepe Marabe after he played and scored the winner in a practice match on Wednesday.
Marabe has missed Matlama’s last four matches with a shoulder injury picked up on duty with the Makoanyane XI.
Tse Putsoa have struggled in front of goal in the player’s absence, scoring just once in their last three league games.
The Sunday Express spoke to Motlalepula ‘Maradona’ Majoro who has played for both teams.
“Every team that comes to face Matlama lifts their game, but Lioli don’t match us pound for pound,” said
Majoro who briefly coached Nyenye Rovers but is now back at Tse Putsoa where he is assistant coach to former teammate and another Matlama legend Mahao Matete.
“Lioli are not rivals, call them something else. Our rivals are LDF, Linare, and Arsenal,” he insists.
“Experience will count. When I look at Lioli it is their keeper (Mohau Kuenane), Thabo (Masualle) and Congo (Malebanye Ramoabi) who have big game experience.”
One thing Majoro does agree with is the importance of today’s game, one that could add a chapter in Setsoto’s history.
Matlama and Lioli met in Teyateyaneng on Moshoeshoe’s Day playing to a goalless draw.
But there is a feeling this afternoon’s can’t end that way – Matlama are still fighting to retain their premiership crown and Tse Nala are desperate for a top four place.
For Majoro victory against a challenger to Tse Putsoa’s status is everything.
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