Matlama seek to extend lead

MASERU – Defending Vodacom Premier League champions Matlama will be looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season to six games when they take on Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) on Saturday.

The champions were stopped in their winning tracks on Sunday when they were held to a goalless draw by Lifofane in Butha-Buthe.

It was the first time ‘Tse Putsoa’ dropped points this season, they have won four games and drawn once to lead the log with 13 points after five matches.

Matlama coach Mothobi Molebatsi said he is bracing himself for a difficult game on Saturday especially because ‘Masheshena’ are at home at the LCS grounds.

Games between Matlama and LCS rarely produce big score-lines, if there is a winner the margin is a goal or two. Based on past results, history is on Matlama’s side because they have won four of the last seven encounters between the teams and lost just once.

The other two matches have ended in 1-1 and 0-0 draws.

“It’s going to be a fight, it’s always a tough game against LCS,” Molebatsi said.

“I don’t like to pick games but the (difficulty) degree of games differs. Last week we dropped points against Lifofane, it was an away game. We didn’t lose but we dropped two points.”

“If you look at last season we beat (LCS) 1-0 and drew 1-1. We want to win every game but it’s not going to be easy,” Molebatsi said.

LCS are fourth on the log with ten points but are just behind second-placed Bantu on goal difference and three points behind Matlama.

With eight goals scored in five games, LCS are the fourth highest scoring team in the league and they have only conceded twice.

With Molebatsi’s strikers Lazola Jokojokwane and Thabiso Mari still firing blanks, this could be a game for LCS to pull off an upset.

In other games this weekend, Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) will host Bantu on Sunday at Ha Ratjomose.

‘A Matšo Matebele’ have had an inconsistent start to the season and find themselves playing catch-up to Matlama.

However, Bantu returned to winning ways last week by beating Swallows 5-0 which is their biggest victory of the campaign so far. The 2020 champions come into this game confident they can get three points against an LDF that is yet to lose.

Elsewhere, Lioli will host draw specialists Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) on Sunday. In the five games LMPS have played this season, they have won one and four matches have ended in draws.

LMPS are one of three unbeaten teams in the league alongside Matlama and LDF.

It is not LMPS’s draws that are infuriating, it is that they have all been scoreless. LMPS have scored just one goal all season but they are also yet to concede, the only team to boast such a defensive record.

Weekend fixtures:
Saturday (15:00)
Machokha vs. CCX (Nyakosoba)
LCS vs. Matlama (LCS)
Naughty Boys vs. Manonyane (Leshoboro)
Galaxy vs. Lifofane (DIFA Leribe)
Sunday
Lioli vs. LMPS (Teyateyaneng)
Swallows vs. Lijabatho (Morija)
Linare vs. Liphakoe (DIFA Leribe)
LDF vs. Bantu (Ratjomose)

Tlalane Phahla