Mokhotlong B-Division teams face off in tourney

MASERU – Six Mokhotlong B-Division teams will battle it out for a M10 000 jackpot this weekend in the final leg of a district tournament sponsored by Ntjamokoatle Trading Company.

The competition started last weekend with 18 teams.

12 sides were knocked out leaving the remaining six to go toe-to-toe on Saturday to determine the three teams that will go to the semi-finals on Sunday.

The best loser from the three losing teams will get an opportunity to join the other three to complete the semi-final line-up.

The six teams competing this weekend are Balefe, Black Five, Mokhotlong Giants, Thialala FC, Real Hearts and Manka FC.

On top of the prize money, the winner will also walk away with a football kit and gold medals.

The runners-up will receive M7 500 and silver medals while the third and fourth placed sides will get M5 000 and M2 500 respectively.

There will also be individual awards for the competition’s three best players – the top goalscorer will go home with M1 000 while the goalkeeper and player of the tournament will both get M800.

Speaking to thepost yesterday, DIFA Mokhotlong president Sekonyela Molefe said the tournament has been running for the past three years but had only been for Mokhotlong’s central zone teams.

He said, for the first time, the sponsors had decided to make it a district tournament.

Molefe said DIFA Mokhotlong has set strict rules for behaviour at the Ntjamokoatle Trading Company tournament.

“We want good behaviour; we have had meetings with the teams to remind them there is no law that gives players the right to argue or fight with referees. It says the referee’s decision is final. We want companies (to sponsor football) and they will come if the behaviour is acceptable,” he said.

Molefe’s words come after a referee was attacked by three Mokhotlong LMPS players in January after a B-Division league game against Black Five.

One of the players who was identified as the instigator has been banned for a season.

The B-Division season is heading towards its climax and Molefe said with district and national playoffs coming soon, he believes this tournament will benefit teams in Mokhotlong when they face opponents from elsewhere in the country when promotion playoffs begin.

Besides Ntjamokoatle Trading Company, Molefe said DIFA Mokhotlong would like more companies in Mokhotlong to get involved in growing football in the district.

Tlalane Phahla