Moorosi Tsiane
LMPS coach Teele Ntšonyana has promised fireworks when his side takes on bruised Matlama in an Econet Premier League tie at LCS Ground this afternoon.
Simunye, as LMPS is affectionately known, go into the match on the back of a 0-1 win over LCS last weekend. On the other hand, Matlama were held 1-1 by rookies Lijabatho in their last outing on 24 October 2019.
The former Likuena striker said his side’s preparations have been smooth and were ready for Matlama.
“The preparations have gone well,” Ntšonyana said adding: “We are playing the defending league champions so our preparations have been thorough”.
“However, we are all in the premier league and are playing for the same points, so there are no easy matches because intention is to win.
“We played LCS last weekend and they were at the top of the league table then, now it is Matlama who are also league contenders. After their draw last weekend, Matlama are wounded and would be extremely dangerous. We will have to step up.
“It’s going to be anyone’s game really; it’s not going to be easy for any of the sides.”
Ntšonyana said his target this season is to improve his side’s sixth place finish for last season and finish in a more respectable position.
“We have players who are hungry for success. When they want to achieve things, they can make it happen if they focus. The target is to do better than we did last season and finish in a better position than last season. It can happen, we can surprise ourselves and our opponents,” Ntšonyana said.
LMPS will be without Tšepo Seturumane who is nursing an injury and Teboho Makhele who is serving a suspension.
“Some of my regular players are doubtful due to injuries while Makhele is serving a red card suspension. However, that is not an excuse; those who are eligible to play will do the work,” he said.
On his part Matlama coach Charles Manda said they have forgotten about the Lijabatho match and their focus is now on LMPS.
“In football you win some and lose some but we are over the Lijabatho result and the focus is now on the LMPS match.
“Even Manchester City; one of the best sides in the world sometimes losses and we too are not invincible,” Manda said.
He said it was still too early to talk about the league championship and they would focus on each match as it comes.
“It is too early to talk about the league. There is still a long to go and for now, we will focus on each match as it comes, we can only play one game at a time,” he said.
Manda said they would miss attacker Jane Thabantšo who is out injured.
“He is one of our key players. He is a player who makes us tick and helps us score, so we would have loved to have him. John Mohai also suffered a knock in the last match and we are still unsure whether or not he will play on Sunday (today). If he is unavailable, we will use the players at our disposal,” Manda said.
In other league matches, Sefotha-fotha host LDF at PTC Ground, Lijabatho host Kick4Life at Ratjomose Ground while LCS travel to Butha-Buthe to play Lifofane.