. . . as Linare beat LCS to set a final date with Lioli at 3pm today
Moorosi Tsiane
Setsoto Stadium
Four goals by Nkoto Masoabi and one from Lekhanya Lekhanya helped Lioli beat LDF 5-2 and reach the final of the Lesotho National Insurance Group Top 8 competition at the Setsoto Stadium yesterday.
All the seven goals of the semifinal clash were scored in the first half — much to the delight of the fans who came to witness the much-anticipated tie.
Lioli came into yesterday’s tie on a high following last weekend’s outstanding performance which saw the Teyateyaneng giants beat Angolan outfit Primeiro de Agosto 2-1 in the return fixture of the African Champions League. However, the win was not enough to book the Premier League champions a place in the next stage of the continental showcase.
On the other hand, LDF entered yesterday’s tie following a three-week break after the suspension of the team’s league matches due to bad weather and Lioli’s African campaign.
Tse Nala, as Lioli are affectionately known, dominated yesterday’s match from the first blow of the whistle and opened the floodgates in the 4th minute through a Masoabi header.
The dreadlocked hitman headed home again in the 27th and 35th minute, and then struck once more in the 42nd minute, with Masoabi adding the 5th in the 45th minute.
LDF found their goals through the boot of midfield maestro Molefe Lekoekoe, who struck in the 17th and 43rd minute.
The army-side however, found it difficult to contain the Lioli midfield pair of Tšoanelo Koetle and Motlalepula Mofolo, with the duo particularly finding it easy to penetrate the poorly-marshaled LDF defence.
However, the match ended with both teams one man short after Koetle was shown a straight red card five minutes before from time for a dangerous tackle on Mokoenanyane Moahloli. LDF’s Dumane Lethakha followed him two minutes later for a second bookable offence.
Lioli coach Mosholu Mokhothu was full of praise for his charges for “a job well done” and said the players followed the game-plan hence the massive win.
“I am very happy for my players; they had such a good game today and I am impressed that they stuck to the game-plan,” Mokhothu said.
“Participating in the Champions League made a huge impact on the team as the players have shown a lot of improvement although we still have to work on our tactical discipline.”
LDF coach, Malefetsane Pheko, on the other hand, said he was disappointed with his team’s poor defence.
Meanwhile, in another semifinal played yesterday also at Setsoto, Linare beat LCS 2-0, to set a final showdown with Lioli at 3pm today.
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