LDF in title race

Chris Theko

Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) FC announced their arrival in the park of league contenders closing-in on defending Vodacom Premier League Champions Bantu when they registered their second successive win, edging rivals Kick4life by a single goal to nil on Saturday.

The army side now stands only two points shy off second-placed Bantu and six from log-leaders Matlama after a Katleho Makateng goal which divided the two sides in a VPL encounter held at the LDF ground. 

After 17 encounters, LDF have recorded 11 wins, three draws and three loses and have 36 points to their name. Matlama is still leading the log standing with 44 points from 18 games, where they secured 14 wins, two draws and two loses with while Bantu sits at 38 points, with 12 wins, two draws and three loses. 

LDF went into the game highly motivated after thumping Likhopo 6-0 last week while Kick4Life had a victory behind them coming into the match after a 1-0 win over Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS). 

‘Sohlesohle’ as LDF is commonly known were full of energy and started the match on a front foot against an equally agile Kick4Life side which also took the game to their opponents for the first 45 minutes. 

Similarly, the second stanza began on a high tempo which even forced LDF into making their first substitution bringing in Moeketsi TÅ¡ufu for Motlatsi Kokoana but the wait for a goal continued. 

At the strike of 53^rd minute, Kick4Life also made a substitution bringing in Mokoteli Mohapi for Realeboha Ralenkoane.

LDF then followed with another rather forced substitution after Ramabele TÅ¡iame sustained an injury and was replaced by Thabang Rabi while Koete Mohloai was rested for ‘Matli ‘Matli. 

Sohlesohle broke the deadlock, after Makateng headed in a free kick taken by Letlatsa Moshoeshoe. 

Kick4Life tried to search for a goal in an attempt to equalize but failed until the last whistle. 

LDF coach Motheo Mohapi expressed his happiness with the win but said he was disappointed with the performance. 

“I am happy with the three points but my players did not play to their potential.

“They failed to keep the ball and we barely created chances. We only had one clear chance in the first half and we had to rely on a set-piece in the second half to draw blood,” Mohapi said. 

Meanwhile, for his part, Kick4Life coach, Motebang Makhetha said his side had played well despite failing to score.

“Apart from the poor defending of the set-piece, I am happy with how my players played against a very good LDF side. Structurally we were fine, the communication in the team was good,” Makhetha said. 

In other VPL action elsewhere, LMPS edged CCX 1-0 in Hlotse the same day with Bantu sharing the spoils with Linare at the Maputsoe DiFA stadium the following day.