Teboho Molapo
LDF…………..(0) 0
Lioli………….(1) 2
MASERU — Last year, with four games to go, Lioli travelled to Ratjomose and won 3-0 to set alight their late-season charge.
With another victory at a similar stage this time round Lioli have ensured the title race will go for a few more weeks.
Tse Nala beat an under-par LDF side 2-0 yesterday.
In recent weeks all the talk surrounding the defending champions has been of their off-field troubles, but Lioli players put that behind them with a professional display to remain in sight of runaway leaders Matlama.
It is now two years, two goals and four games since LDF last beat Lioli in the league and yesterday goals from Seenyane Nthejane and Lehlohonolo Mpopo allowed Teyateyaneng’s maroon army to dance at the expense of the soldiers once more.
“We are chasing a team (Matlama) that is playing very well (but) we will keep fighting until the end,” Lioli coach Mosholi Mokhothu said after the game.
Lioli were certainly in a fight yesterday against a robust LDF side.
The end result was four red cards — two for either side — and a player taken to hospital in a match which lacked the cutting edge.
Nevertheless Mokhothu will be encouraged by his side’s silky display, reminiscent of Lioli’s all conquering side of last season, in the first half.
Eleven minutes into the game Lioli had taken the lead after Nthejane’s superb finish.
From then Lioli were in complete control.
And despite Motlalepula Mofolo’s dismissal in the 28th minute after a collision with Koporala Motanyane it wasn’t much of a surprise when Mpopo scored a well-taken second goal in the 54th minute.
Lioli’s victory was important because league leaders Matlama, at Pitso Ground, were at the same time chalking up an identical 2-0 win over Likhopo thanks to Dlomo Monapathi’s brace.
The win keeps Tse Putsoa 10 points ahead of Lioli, although Tse Nala have a game in hand.
Lioli were due to host Matlama in a potential title-decider next Saturday but the match was not scheduled in the Premier League’s April fixtures after Lioli had all their home matches suspended by the league on March 20.
But the match is now likely to go ahead as planned, possibly at the Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena.
“The game will go ahead as fixtured,” the Premier League’s communications and marketing manager Lehlohonolo Matlosa said yesterday.
“A venue has not been found, but it will be finalised on Monday.”
Meanwhile, Lioli have been found guilty of misconduct after their supporters attacked match officials following a 3-1 loss to LMPS in Teyateyaneng on March 14.
Last Friday Tse Nala were slapped with a M7 000 fine, M5 000 of which is suspended.
“The referee also lost his watch and the assistant referees’ flags were spoilt as well. Lioli have been ordered to pay for the damages,” Matlosa said.
Yesterday’s Premiership results:
LDF 0-2 Lioli; Bantu 3-1 Joy; LMPS 4-2 Nyenye Rovers; Rovers 1-1 LCS; Swallows 3-1 Botha-Bothe Roses; Matlama 2-0 Likhopo; Lerotholi 1-1 Linare; Majantja 1-1 Mphatlalatsane
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