Moorosi Tsiane
LIOLI will be hoping to bag three points this afternoon and edge closer to a top four finish when they host LMPS in Teyateyaneng this afternoon.
Tse Nala are fifth on the log, one point behind LDF and will need a win today to ensure that they keep their hopes of defending their Top4 title alive.
The Lehlohonolo Thotanyana coached outfit heads into today’s match following a disappointing result in their previous match drawing nil-all with Sefotha-fotha.
But Thotanyana said their previous match was water under the bridge and their focus is now on their next game with LMPS.
The veteran mentor admitted that they will be faced with a mountain to climb if they are to finish in the top four.
“Practically, we are out and it is not going to be easy to break into the top four because LDF is also in a fine form and it’s now a matter of who wins and who loses,” Thotanyana said.
“But the fight is still on and we have to make sure that we win all our remaining matches then we will see where that gets us by the end of the season.”
Thotanyana said their biggest worry now is his teams’ inconsistence which is caused by the non-availability of some of his key players due to injuries and suspensions.
“We are at a crucial stage of the season where several players would have taken knocks while some are on suspension and that has negatively affected us in our previous matches hence we have been inconsistent.
“Defender Teboho Ndlama, midfielder Stephen Eyong and top striker Sweartbirth Kum have all been injured while Sheetsane Ramoseeka and Motlalepula Mofolo have also been suspended. This has cost us as it negatively affects the quality of the team.”
LMPS on the other hand, are fighting to finish in the top eight teams to also qualify for the LNIG Top 8 tournament and their coach Teele Ntšonyana said the match is a must win.
“This is not going to be an easy match for us but we will be working very hard to ensure that we come back with a win because we need to also fight to end the league in a respectable position,” he said.
The former Likuena striker said the league is now at a crucial stage where every team is fighting for different targets and this will worsen their situation.
“It is a crucial time because every team is playing for something. Others are fighting for the league title, others are chasing top four finishes while others in similar positions as ourselves are seek top four finishes.
“Bottom placed teams are also fighting for survival so that makes matters worse because every match now is crucial,” Ntšonyana said.
On the absence of their striker Monyatheli Ntobo, who was red carded during their match against LDF a fortnight ago, Ntšonyana said every player in his team is ready to do the job.
“In coming up with this team, we have tried to ensure that every player is ready whenever needed to do the job. There is no doubt that his absence is a big loss but there is nothing we can do about his situation apart from just focusing on the task at hand,” Ntšonyana concluded.
In other league matches, Galaxy welcome on song Matlama at Maputsoe DIFA Ground while Swallows welcome Likhopo at Ratjomose Ground this afternoon.