Tough fitness test for referees

MASERU – The country’s elite referees and match officials will undergo a rigorous fitness test on Sunday in preparation for the resumption of the Vodacom Premier League matches next week.

The fitness test is taken twice every season, first at the beginning of the league campaign and then before the second round of the season starts.

The test is for all Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) accredited officials which includes all central and assistant referees, both male and female.

LEFA said the fitness test will be overseen by the LEFA Referees Coordinator, Mohau Sentšo, who will be working alongside a team of referees’ instructors.

The physical fitness test is made up of two tests including the repeated sprint ability test which measures the referees’ ability to perform repeated sprints over 40 metres.

All officials who officiate in the Vodacom Premier League and lower divisions will be tested to determine if they are fit enough to take charge of league matches.

Meanwhile, the Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) has released the full set of fixtures for the second round of the season and, according to the list, the season will end on April 29.

The first the set of catch-up games that were carried over from the first round will be played next Wednesday, just three days after the referees’ fitness test.

The four games, which include an intriguing tie between third-placed Linare and surprise package Lijabatho who are fourth, are matches that were not played last month due to unplayable grounds after heavy rains.

The PLMC said the Vodacom Premier League’s second round schedule is also subject to change caused by adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

Catch-up games:
Wednesday, January 11
Liphakoe vs. LDF (LDF Ground)
Lijabatho vs. Linare (Morija)
Machokha vs. Swallows (PTC)
Lifofane vs. CCX (Butha-Buthe)

Fixtures:
Saturday, January 14
Galaxy vs. Lijabatho (DIFA Leribe)
Lifofane vs. Liphakoe (Butha-Buthe)
Manonyane vs. Bantu (Nyakosoba)
LCS vs. LMPS (LCS Ground)

Sunday, January 15
Naughty Boys vs. Machokha (Leshoboro stadium)
Lioli vs. Linare (Teyateyaneng)
Matlama vs. Swallows (LCS Ground)
LDF vs. CCX (LDF Ground)
Catch-up game:

Wednesday, January 18
LDF vs. Machokha (LDF Ground)

Tlalane Phahla