Matlama vow to sink LMPS

Luciah Phahla

Maseru – Vodacom Premier League title hopefuls Matlama have vowed to sink Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) when the two clash at the Lesotho Correctional Service grounds on Sunday.

LMPS go into the game on a high after stunning defending champions Lioli 1-0 before the international break.

However, Matlama, who opened their account with a hard-fought 2-1 win over premier league new boys Butha-Buthe Warriors, say ‘Semunye’ pose no threat.

According to the club’s communications and marketing manager Tankiso Moletsane, ‘Tse Putsoa’ used the two-week pause to correct mistakes as they seek to go one better than last season where they finished a point behind champions Lioli.

“LMPS will not give us problems at all,” Moletsane told thepost yesterday. “I have noticed a few things about them. Their backline is strong but it’s not an issue, we have players upfront that can penetrate that defence. They are physically fit and play a physical game but that is not a threat for us.”

Moletsane, though, bemoaned a gruelling schedule for Matlama’s Lesotho contingent who were part of the national side’s 6-0 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying defeat to Algeria on Sunday.

Likuena only arrived in Lesotho on Tuesday night and Matlama had six players who travelled to Algeria.

“They might be tired. Remember they arrived (Tuesday) and they only have (Wednesday) and Thursday to rest. Friday they will be back at training. Luckily enough, our game is on Sunday,” Moletsane said.

“Those who were left (behind) had been working hard during training and they played two friendly games to keep fit. We are good.”

Moletsane was also excited to have Michael Mireku and Samson Yabribe available for selection after a complaint from former employers Sundawana over the pair’s move to Pitso Ground was thrown out by the premier league management committee.

The league declared the Ghanaian duo were free agents and free to join any club of their choice.

As a result, Mireku and Yabribe have been cleared to make their Matlama debuts against LMPS after missing the season opener against Butha-Buthe Warriors.

“Those two players are Matlama players fully,” Moletsane said.

“The case has been thrown out and the league is satisfied that they are free agents. Before the transfer window closed Sundawana lodged a complaint with the league, that’s why they missed the first game. But now they are available for selection. It is up to the coach (Moses Maliehe) if they play, but they are fully ours,” he said.

Meanwhile, table topping Bantu are in bullish spirits as they prepare for their Saturday meeting with Likhopo.

The Mafeteng giants are looking to clinch maximum points to solidify their place as early Vodacom Premier League pacesetters and Bantu’s confidence is high following their 3-1 success over Rovers on the opening weekend.

Speaking yesterday, Bantu communication and marketing manager Motlatsi Mofokeng said the side’s preparations for their showdown with Likhopo are on track.

“We resumed training on Monday after the players were given time to be with their families for the international break,” Mofokeng told thepost. “They are back now and everything is going well for us. Fortunately we don’t have any injuries.”

Vodacom Premier League fixtures:

Saturday

Likhopo vs. Bantu (LCS)

LDF vs. Lioli (Ratjomose)

Kick4Life vs. Butha-Buthe Warriors (Maseru)

Sunday

Sky battalion vs. Sundawana (TBC)

Linare vs. LCS (Maputsoe Difa Ground)

Matlama vs. LMPS (LCS)

Rovers vs. Liphakoe (Roma)