HomeSportLioli mark TY return in style

Lioli mark TY return in style

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Moorosi Tsiane

LIOLI yesterday reopened their new stadium in Teyateyaneng in style with a thumping 3-1 come-from-behind win over Liphakoe 3-1 in an Econet Premier League match.

This was Lioli’s first home match in Teyateyaneng since November 2013 as the stadium has been under construction.

Liphakoe threatened to spoil the homecoming when they went ahead with an early strike from Abomau Theopilus. But Lioli turned it around with goals from Lekhanya Lekhanya, Kopano Tseka and Tšoanelo Koetle which enabled them to leapfrog Bantu into pole position in the 14-team league table with 13 points from five games.

However, Bantu can still reclaim top spot if they win against Sky Battalion this afternoon at Setsoto Stadium.

Lioli goalkeeper, Liteboho Mokhehle, made an uncharacteristic blunder by hitting Theopilus with the ball with two minutes on the clock. The rebound went straight into the net to give the visitors the lead.

The match failed to spark and the windy weather conditions did not make things easy for both teams.

Lioli equalised three minutes before the break from an easy tap-in by Lekhanya off a Mafa Moremoholo cross from the right wing.

A Tseka volley on the stroke of the half time, gave Lioli the lead. His shot deflected off a Liphakoe defender and beat the goalkeeper.

Liphakoe made the first change immediately after the break bringing in Lehlomela Ramabele for Theopilous who had a bad day in the office.

Two minutes later Mohau Rammoneng was introduced for Tšoarelo Mokoaleli as Liphakoe sort stability in the middle of the park.

Lioli continued to dominate the match and they extended their lead on the hour mark through Koetle who easily converted into an empty net after the goalkeeper Tankiso Chaba miscalculated Lekhanya’s pass.

The match had to be stopped for about five minutes in the 74th minute after Mokhachane Letuka’s crude tackle on Tumelo Khutlang precipitated a brawl among the players.

Letuka was given his marching orders for his second bookable offence by the referee, Osias Koto.

Khutlang was forced out as well through injury and he was replaced by Tankiso Tabi.

Lioli continued to attack and Chaba had to be at his best to save an excellent Tsepo Lekhooana set piece from the far right on 83 minutes.

Lioli introduced Bafokeng Mosala for Lekhooana with just five minutes remaining on the board.

A minute later Lioli were also reduced to 10 men after Salebone Lekhooa received a second yellow card for time wasting.

Liphakoe’s last chance to narrow the lead came on 88 minutes but Rammoneng’s well struck effort was pushed out for a corner by Mokhehle.

Lioli’s interim coach, Motebang Makhetha, praised his charges who were full value for their win.

“This was the most important win for us especially after all the controversies surrounding us,” Makhetha said, adding, “I am happy for my players and we are still in the (title) race”.

“We still need to work on our mental fitness but I am proud of the boys.”

Liphakoe mentor, Motolo Makepe, said they were punished for their mistakes and they would have to work on rectifying them.

“We committed some silly mistakes and got punished.

“We failed to play according to our plan especially after we got that early goal which my charges tried to defend. Unfortunately we lost concentration and got punished,” Makepe said.

Elsewhere, LMPS beat Kick4Life 2-1 at LCS Ground while Likhopo were beaten 2-3 by Linare at Ratjomose Ground.

 

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