Chris Theko
Matlama needed at least a draw in Saturday’s match to put themselves in a good position to lift their 10th league title after they last won one in the year 2009/10, but Bantu had other ideas at a fully packed Setsoto stadium.
The stakes were high in this encounter as the winner stood a chance to walk away with M50, 000 pledged by Alliance Insurance Company and Metropolitan Lesotho.
Therefore, Bantu took home M50, 000.
Tse Putsoa supporters left Setsoto stadium with disappointment after their team lost 2-1 to the reigning Econet Premier League champions, Bantu.
A Matšo Matebele came to the fixture knowing that only a win would be enough for them to keep their chances alive of defending their title.
The win means that the gap between the second position Bantu and first position Matlama has been reduced to just two points going into the last two remaining matches of the 2018/19 season.
Both Litšepe Marabe and Lindokuhle Phungulwa scored through a header in either half of the game.
The two goals were enough to clinch the win for Bantu and break Matlama’s supporters’ hearts.
Phafa TÅ¡osane gave ‘Tse Putsoa’ the consolation goal in the second half.
The two teams were cautious from the first whistle.
Bantu FC coach James Madidilane started with two anchors, Masiu and Phungulwa, who seemed to destabilise the midfield and give Matlama’s very strong midfield problems as they couldn’t play their usual football.
Bantu was the first to draw blood through a tactical encounter when Litšepe Marabe converted Lindokuhle Phungulwa’s corner kick in the last minutes of the first stanza.
As Matlama and Bantu were now searching for a lead goal, Phungulwa scored Bantu’s winning goal leaving Matlama fans heartbroken as they had expected their team to lift the trophy on the day.
Therefore, Bantu has successfully collected six points from Matlama this season after they beat Matlama 1-0 in the first round of the campaign.
In the previous six league games played between Matlama and Bantu from 2016/17 to 2018/19, Bantu won 4 games, drew in one and lost one.
Regardless of the loss, Matlama is still on top of the log with 56 points while Bantu are trailing behind with 54 points.
The league race is now between Matlama and Bantu and the duo is left with only two games.
Madidilane revealed his excitement with the results, however, he noted dissatisfaction with the overall performance of his boys on the day.
As the defending champions, he said their aim is to win all their remaining games.
Madidilane further mentioned that their next match against Lioli is expected to be as tough as the one against Matlama.
“But, I believe we owe everything to ourselves. We have to make sure we get the three points.
Now it’s not about the good football but it is all about the results,†said Madidilane.
He added that he has a firm believe that they will end the season on a high note and see what will happen at the end.
Matlama coach Thabile Secker mentioned that even though they lost on Saturday, he is still confident Matlama will lift this year’s league trophy.
Secker believes Matlama was over confident on Saturday which led to their downfall.
“Overall, we played well, we did not lose anything but on the scoresheet, we will bounce back,†the coach said
