Teboho Molapo
MASERU — League champions Lioli are to hunt for a new head coach.
The team has been under the stewardship of Halemakale Mahlaha and Mosholi Mokhothu this season.
Mokhothu had been widely touted as coach of the team. But last week Lioli communication and marketing manager, Moeketsi Pitso, explained that Mokhothu has never been in charge of Lioli on a permanent basis.
Pitso said Mahlaha is the technical advisor with Mokhothu being the assistant coach.
“He was the caretaker coach after Lehlohonolo Thotanyana left the team. He has never been the head coach,” Pitso said. “We are soon to advertise for the position of coach.”
The announcement comes after Lioli held an emergency meeting last Monday after the Berea outfit lost 1-2 to Likhopo in the Vodacom Soccer Spectacular and then laboured to a 0-0 draw against Lerotholi at home, in the Premiership.
Lioli have made an unconvincing start to the season and go into today’s match against Majantja in third place and only having found the net seven times in as many outings.
The side also fared dismally in the MGC Supa8 tournament in August, losing to LMPS in the semi-finals and finishing fourth, after a loss to LCS in the third-place playoff.
Lioli are also on the brink of elimination from the Vodacom Soccer Spectacular after a 1-2 home loss to Likhopo.
Lioli have also been rocked by player indiscipline.
“The antics have affected our team and our senior players Malebanye Ramoabi and Thabo Masualle complained the actions were hurting the team,” Pitso said.
Lekhotla Pitso, who joined Lioli from Matlama after his case went through arbitration has begun training after a four-week, injury lay off.
Meanwhile, LMPS and LCS clash at Old Europa today with both sides looking to keep-up the challenge for the league honours.
For LCS, it is the second match under caretaker coach Liphapang Motanya, who is being assisted by squad-players Refiloe Potse and Sidwell Mothea.
Masheshena have played two games under Motanya — a 0-0 draw with Bantu in the Vodacom Spectacular and last weekend’s 5-0 thrashing of Swallows in the Premiership — since the suspension of head-coach, Katiso Mojakhomo, last month.
Potse, while admitting Mojakhomo’s departure had unsettled the team, believes LCS have what it takes to beat LMPS in today’s encounter. Motanya’s presence, he says, has brought a new spirit into camp.
“It will be a very tough game and very tense. But we are ready for LMPS; we know how they play. We were struggling to score goals — that was the problem before. But bit-by-bit, the team is coming together,” Potse told the Sunday Express.
There is such renewed confidence at LCS. Potse believes the league championship is there for the taking.
“We are going to be at the top come end of the season because of the way the team is playing at the moment. Bantu, were no match for us despite the goalless draw.”
Potse says dabbling in coaching has gone smoothly, so far.
“We are doing very well; the response from fellow players has been positive. But as you know, we are not coaches; we just advise as experienced players.”
Lioli travel to Mohale’s Hoek to face Majantja, with the worst-form side Rovers hosting Joy at Roma.
Today’s Premiership fixtures: Majantja vs Lioli (Mohale’s Hoek); Swallows vs Nyenye Rovers (Mazenod); Rovers vs Joy (Roma); LMPS vs LCS (Old Europa)
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