LCS coach worried by inconsistency

MASERU – Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) head coach, Shalane Lehohla, has admitted that his team’s inconsistency in the Vodacom Premier League is concerning.

LCS were considered potential title contenders this season but even though they are in second place, their inconsistent form sees them seven points behind leaders Bantu at the halfway mark of the season.

LCS’s latest let-down was a 1-1 draw with Lifofane in the final game of the first round last Saturday in Butha-Buthe.

Emblematic of their sub-par start, LCS arrived late and started the game without proper warm-up. ‘Masheshena’ stepped off the bus already dressed and rushed onto the field of play.

LCS then went on to produce a performance of a team that was lacking confidence during the game and it appeared as if they were simply honouring the fixture.

It was unsurprising to see them trail at halftime, but they came back better in the second half and began to play like a winning team.

Their performance once again demonstrated why many people do not believe they can compete for the league title. Teboho Montlha rescued a point with four minutes remaining and they avoided defeat.

Lehohla stated that the inconsistency is making his job difficult because they are unsure of the outcome. In the last four games, they have lost 1-0 at home to Linare, threw away a 1-0 lead against Lioli in the dying minutes of the game, then thumped Premier League whipping boys Naughty Boys 9-1 and drawn 1-1 with Lifofane.

It’s easy to understand why Lehohla would be frustrated.

“You end up not sure what kind of team you have. If we were playing next week, you are asking yourself: do I put him in this one? What needs to happen?

Do I need to change the team again? it makes our job not look good,” the LCS coach said.

“If they give you the same thing the next game it tells you whether you are doing well or not. At the moment we don’t know if we are a good team or not because it’s a draw, loss, win; there is no time to win and win,” he continued.

Lehohla believes that arriving late for the game against Lifofane had a mental impact on his players because, while they were trying to make it work on the field, their minds were not there.

With the league now on holiday break, Lehohla said they will decide whether to give them a full break or just a few days and then bring them back.

LCS are second on the log, seven points behind leaders Bantu and they are just a point ahead of Linare but have played a game more.

Tlalane Phahla