This weekend is the final before the final in the Vodacom Premier League with both Matlama and Lioli fighting tooth and nail for the biggest crown in Lesotho football. The two giants are the pair standing in the title race after Bantu fell from the chase last weekend courtesy of a 1-0 defeat to Lioli.
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The defeat means the defending champions can only reach a maximum of 62 points this season while both Matlama and Lioli are on 64 points with two games to play.
The top two rivals will face off next weekend in what will be a mouth-watering finale to decide this year’s champions but, before that, both teams have to handle business this weekend with Lioli hosting Lifofane on Saturday while Matlama travel to Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) on Sunday.
On paper, Lioli, who are second on goal difference, have a more favourable fixture against eighth-placed Lifofane compared to Matlama who are away against LCS who are vying for a top four finish.
Although they would know better than to underestimate Lifofane, Lioli arguably have a better chance of winning. Lifofane are looking to consolidate their top eight spot finish and currently sit eighth on the table, just a point above Lijabatho.
Because they play on Saturday, Lioli will go above Matlama for at least 24 hours before ‘Tse Putsoa’ face ‘Masheshena’. LCS are fourth on the log and their fixtures against Matlama always bring a spectacle.
LCS could potentially make things difficult for Matlama. Although the pressure is on, Matlama know they control their own destiny regardless of Sunday’s results.
They have a four-goal lead over Lioli in the goal difference column, which means even if Matlama lose on Sunday, they could still win the title next weekend by beating Lioli.
This season is the first in recent years that the Premier League heads into the final week with two teams still with a chance of winning the championship and it is clear the title will be decided on the last day.
Meanwhile, the relegation battle at the bottom of the table is just as tense. Naughty Boys have been relegated and three more teams – CCX, ACE Maseru and Manonyane – are still at risk of being axed.
One of these three teams will join Naughty Boys on their journey back to the A Division.
Weekend Fixtures:
Saturday (15:00)
Lifofane vs. Lioli (Maputsoe)
LMPS vs. Naughty Boys (PTC Ground)
Liphakoe vs. Manonyane (LCS Ground)
LU FC vs. ACE Maseru (Ratjomose)
Sunday:
CCX vs. Bantu (Maputsoe)
Lijabatho vs. LDF (Morija)
Machokha vs. Linare (Ratjomose)
LCS vs. Matlama (LCS Ground)
Tlalane Phahla
