Bantu set for big title party

MASERU – Setsoto Stadium will be painted black and yellow on Saturday as Bantu are set to be crowned the 2022/23 Vodacom Premier League champions.

The log leaders will take on Lifofane in the final game of the season needing only a point to seal the championship.

Bantu have 65 points while second-placed Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) have 62 and even if ‘A Matšo Matebele’ somehow lose, their healthy plus-41 goal difference should be enough to see off LDF whose goal difference is plus-26.

If the impossible happens and somehow Lifofane beat Bantu, for LDF to even stand a chance they would have to score 16 goals in their game against third-placed Linare to surpass the leaders.

That is a mountain climb given the calibre of LDF’s opponents and the fact that the game will be played in Linare’s backyard.

While the army side will go home empty-handed, the fact that the champions will be decided on the last day of the season proves how exciting this season was.

At some point it looked as if Bantu had the championship in the bag, but a run of inconsistency last month almost cost them the title.

The whole of Mafeteng is now anticipating a huge title party which means that although Bantu usually play their home games in Mohale’s Hoek, Saturday’s final has understandably been shifted to Setsoto stadium which is a bigger venue.

Kick-off times have also been changed to 2pm for this weekend and thousands of Bantu supporters are due to flock to Maseru on Saturday.

This season’s crown will be Bantu fifth title which will equal Lioli’s tally.

‘A Matšo Matebele’ will be one title shy of Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) who have won a total of six championships while LDF are the second most decorated team in the country having won nine league titles.

Matlama are the only team in history to reach the double digits with 11 titles making them the most successful team in the history of the top-flight.

That the title will be heading to Mafeteng is not a doubt anymore and the celebrations have already started. The tears have already been spilled at the bottom of the table as well after Swallows and

Galaxy were relegated to the A-Division.

There will be no dramatic twist in the relegation battle this weekend.

With the champions and relegation decided, the only remaining mystery is the league’s fourth spot which means a coveted place in the Top 4.

Bantu, LDF and Linare have secured their spots and only one spot is left.

Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) are currently fourth with 55 points followed by Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) and Matlama who both have 53 points. Only one of the three teams can finish in the top four.

Matlama will take on Machokha at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena, LMPS welcome Manonyane at the Police Training College while LCS will host CCX.

Weekend Fixtures:
Saturday (14:00)
Machokha vs. Matlama (Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena)
Naughty Boys vs. Lijabatho (Leshoboro Stadium)
Linare vs. LDF (DIFA Leribe)
Swallows vs. Lioli (Nyakosoba)
Liphakoe vs. Galaxy (LDF Ground)
Bantu vs. Lifofane (Setsoto Stadium)
LMPS vs. Manonyane (PTC)
LCS vs. CCX (LCS Ground)

Vodacom Premier League standings:

Tlalane Phahla