Teboho Molapo
MASERU — Things are finally looking good again in Leribe, so much so that Linare’s green army is back in full force and ready to conquer again.
With Lesotho continuing its tortoise wake from the Dark Ages, the green district of Leribe is also longing to finally join the party and get in tune with developments elsewhere in the country.
Their improvement is important for the local game because for Lesotho’s football to truly be alive it is vital for the so-called district teams to flourish.
In Maseru the glamour boys Matlama have seen a rebirth, winning the league and cup double last season.
Berea continues to be abuzz with its heroes Lioli who are now Lesotho’s new trendsetters.
In Mafeteng, meanwhile, the excitingly ambitious Bantu have breathed fresh air into domestic football.
But Leribe, a district of great tradition and once arguably the capital of football in Lesotho, has fallen behind in recent times.
In the 1970s Linare were league champions on three occasions — in 1973, 1979 and 1980.
However, as the statistics indicated, the Hlotse side could only really be described as average going into this league campaign.
Over the previous four seasons Tse Tala lost 44 matches and won 48.
That’s an uninspiring average of 11 losses and just 12 wins per season, the kind of inconsistency that meant Linare’s title challenges hadn’t lasted past Christmas in recent years.
But as Linare face LDF this afternoon at Ratjomose there is a different air.
Linare are at the top end of the Vodacom Premier League standings and share the best winning record with their opponents today.
Tse Tala are second on 21 points from 10 games, only a point behind LDF.
Today’s clash is therefore undoubtedly the biggest match of the season so far, a match Linare coach Pitso Mosothoane says is a six-pointer.
“Up to this point it is the most important match of the season,” Mosothoane says.
“To win the league we will have to take points from our rivals. It’s a tough match for both teams.”
Linare in fact find themselves in a period which could define their season.
Tse Tala face three title rivals over the next three weeks — all away from home.
After today’s clash with LDF, Linare visit LCS next weekend and then travel to Mafeteng to face Bantu.
“This is the most crucial period as far as I’m concerned,” Mosothoane says.
“We are playing our rivals and we are playing them away from home.
“If we can work well we can go into the second round with our heads held high.”
Linare will be encouraged by this season’s improvement in their away form.
Last season Linare won just four of their 15 fixtures away from Hlotse.
This season Tse Tala are unbeaten, winning in three of their four road trips.
Mosothoane believes if Linare can come through this sticky period with seven points it would prove his side’s credentials for the championship.
The title is the mission for a side that is currently playing the most attractive football in the country.
It would also be a reward for the wise improvements Linare made in the pre-season, the standout being the return to Hlotse of former Likuena international Refiloe Potse after five years at LCS.
Potse has added a stable base to Linare’s midfield and resultantly Mosothoane’s preferred passing game.
Strictly speaking, Tse Tala don’t have a set formation: Potse patrols the heart of midfield with Molefi Mosebo, Moses Ramafole and Mabuti Potloane all intelligently drifting and creating chances behind lanky striker Leboneng Moqecho.
Their teamwork has given Linare their best shot at their first silverware since 1999 when Tse Tala won the Independence Cup.
And Mosothoane, who was part of Linare’s last title-winning side in 1980, says there is hunger within his troops.
“When you look at the past seasons we have had moments when we were playing well but then we would lose the next match,” he says.
“I want to believe that we can change that this season.”
“There is not much change to the team.
“We were just able to boost the motivation of the players.
“The mentality of the squad at the start of the season was good.
“Qualifying for the Vodacom Soccer Spectacular also helped us a lot.
“The players were determined to win the tournament and although that didn’t happen the positive attitude has remained.”
“I believe that the biggest aspect is the attitude of the players,” Mosothoane adds.
“That is what affects the performance of a team and can destroy team spirit if it is negative.
“It is something we discussed with the players ahead of the season.”
Last season Linare finished eighth, winning only 11 of 30 matches.
This season Tse Tala have already won six times in 10 outings.
Another win this afternoon against LDF would confirm Tse Tala as contenders for the 2010/11 crown.