Bantu take on LDF as league resumes

MASERU – The Vodacom Premier League (VPL) returns this weekend after a two-week FIFA break, and it brings tasty clashes. There is intrigue all across the table with title aspirations, top four ambitions and relegation survival still in the balance.

This weekend all roads lead to Mohale’s Hoek where leaders Bantu will host second-placed Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) in what many have described as the most important game of the season for the visitors.

It is a potential title decider.

Two points separate the two teams at the top of the table and if Bantu win, they will open a five-point gap with six games to go. However, if LDF win, the Vodacom Premier League would be set for a fierce contest for the title until the last day.

This title race has divided football supporters.

Many have pinned their hopes on LDF to win the most coveted trophy in local football.

Not only will their triumph awaken the likes of Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS), but it would also be the first time the title is won by a team that is not Lioli, Bantu or Matlama since 2011 when LCS won it.

Others, however, feel Bantu are currently the best that the Vodacom Premier League has to offer and they deserve to claim the crown. On Sunday, whoever wants it more will walk away with three points.

While much focus has been on Bantu and LDF, Linare in third place are just four points behind the leaders and if they beat Liphakoe and Bantu drop points, the Hlotse side will enter the title race without a doubt.

Defending champions Matlama also still have an outside chance. The champions, however, have bigger problems to worry about because their top four spot is also under threat with LCS breathing heavily down their necks in fifth position. The teams are separated by just a point. Interestingly, they face each other this weekend.

One of Lesotho’s biggest teams will miss out on the Top 4, the question is who? As for Lioli, who are languishing in 11th place, they can forget about finishing in the top four.

If Lioli can somehow steal a top eight finish it would be undeserved but it would be an achievement given the chaotic season they have had.

Regardless of how bad ‘Tse Nala’ are, the tie against fifth-placed Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) is still the one to watch because of the rivalry between the sides.

The bottom of the league could also be decided this weekend

All the teams involved in the relegation scramble have been struggling to collect points and, as the games run out, many have started to panic about their chances of staying up.

Weekend Fixtures:
Sunday (15:00)
Bantu vs. LDF (DIFA Mohale’s Hoek)
LMPS vs. Lioli (PTC)
Liphakoe vs. Linare (LCS)
Lijabatho vs. Swallows (Morija)
Lifofane vs. Galaxy (Butha-Buthe)
Manonyane vs. Naughty Boys (Nyakosoba)
Matlama vs. LCS (Setsoto stadium)
CCX vs. Machokha (LAC)

Tlalane Phahla