Moorosi Tsiane
MASERU — Premier League champions, Lioli, came from a goal behind to beat Matlama 2-1 in an exciting encounter between the two rivals played at Setsoto stadium yesterday.
The win has seen Tse Nala remain unbeaten after eight games into the season and remain top of the league table on 22 points.
The Teyateyaneng side equalising goal came in the first half through dreadlocked striker, Nkoto Mosoabi, while another of their players signed in the off season, Jeremiah Kamele came from the bench to steal the show scoring the winning goal towards the end of the match.
The home side started the match on a high note scoring the opening goals as early as the 7th minute of game.
Midfield maestro Pali Tšalong’s well taken shot from a long range beat Lioli goalkeeper Mohau Kuenane for the opening goal of the match.
The star-studded Lioli side did not lose the rhythm even after conceding an early goal and kept attacking in search of the equaliser.
The match went into the half time break with Matlama still enjoying a 1-0 lead.
Lioli started the strongest in the second half and their luck finally came when Masoabi enjoying a good goal scoring form found the equalizing goal on the 48th minute from a well delivered Teboho Lekhooa’s cross.
Tse Nala’s technical team soon introduced last season top goal scorer, Tšepo Seturumane, as they put pressure on Tse Putsoa in search of the winning goal.
Kamele signed from Joy in the off season replaced Masoabi and the change soon paid off as the gifted winger scored the winning goal to put his team in the lead on the 80th minute.
Matlama also brought in defensive midfielder Teboho Mota, Jane Thabantšo and Tau Qobose to try and balance the game in the midfield where Lioli was enjoying more possession.
However, inexperience worked against the country’s most successful side as they suffered their second successive loss having lost to Bantu last Sunday.
Lioli coach, Mosholu “Shoes” Mokhothu, was delighted that his team won the battle against their bitter rivals at the end of the match.
“I think we played very well especially in the second half where we scored the two goals to win the match,” Mokhothu said.
“The first half performance was a bit disappointing. We conceded an early goal and they players failed to come to the party.
He praised the attitude of his players having come back from a goal down to win the tie.
Matlama caretaker coach, Lehlohonolo Mokhele, was very disappointed with his team performance as his team suffered their back-to –back defeat.
He also told this paper that the referee had a bad day in office and made errors that worked against his team.
“We started the match well and were the better team in the first half, however things changed in the second half and poor officiating also worked against us,” said Mokhele.
Elsewhere, Linare were held to a one-all draw by Likhopo in a match played in Hlotse.
The match between Nyenye Rovers and Joy failed to produce goals and ended in a goalless draw.
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