Matlama through to LNIG semis
This was after Matlama lost the LNIG first leg quarter-final 1-0 to Kick4Life a fortnight ago at Maputsoe DiFA Stadium.
In today's game opened the scoring with a minute by Phafa Tsosane. However Kick4Life responded late in the first half with a header by defender Likano Teele.
But Matlama came back in the second half as Lebajoa Mosehlenyane score brace to seal the team's semi-final place.
Tse Putsoa, as Matlama are affectionately called proceed to the semi-final on 3-2 goal-aggregate.
Bantu and LCS are also through to the semi-finals of the LNIG at the expense of Sky Battalion and LDF.
Bantu advanced to the semis after beating Sky Battalion 5-0 yesterday and 2-1 a fortnight ago, while LCS booked place to the next stage after 1-1 yesterday's 1-1 and 5-0 two weeks ago.
Lioli and LMPS' results were not yet to be confirmed as the two are still playing as of now. In the first leg of the quarter-finals LMPS beat Lioli 1-0 at Maputsoe DiFA Stadium a fortnight ago.
Lioli are the defending champions of the LNIG Top Cup. They beat Bantu 4-2 in the semi-finals of last year's edition and LCS 1-0 in the final to be crowned the champions.
Madidilane sets Coach of the Month record
Bantu head coach, James Madidilane, claimed back-to-back monthly accolades after winning the Econet Premier League (EPL) Coach of the Month for October in a function held at Bambatha Ts'ita Sports Arena today.
Madidilane won Coach of the Month for the second time in a row, after being honoured for the September award, the first monthly accolade ever since the bounce back of Econet as the Lesotho Premier League sponsors in September last year.
The Bantu coach beat off stiff competition from LDF coach Motheo 'Six to Six' Mohapi and Matlama's mentor Mosito Matela.
Bantu head coach, James Madidilane
However, at the end of the day Matela scooped the November accolade, as both awards were handed at the same time and same venue.
The Matlama coach also beat off Mohapi, who was nominated for both the October and November accolades, and Kick4Life mentor Leslie Notsi.
In players' category, LDF's midfielder Ts'epo Toloane won the October accolade while LCS' Makara Ntaitsane scooped the November award.
Ntaitsane beat off Majantja's Selialia Mohapi, Ts'eliso Botsane of Sefothatfotha, Ts'epo Toloane of LDF (as the latter was nominated for both accolade) and Matlama's goalkeeper Monaheng Ramalefane.
On the other hand Toloane beat off Lisema Lebokollane of Matlama, Lioli's Kopano Tseka, Bantu's Lindokhuhle Phungulwa and Ts'epang Ntsenyane of Kick4Life for the October accolade.
This was after Phungulwa scooped the first EPL Player of the Month in September two months.
Meanwhile, Puleng Mahomo and Makhetha Phatsoane won match official accolades for October and November respectively.
EPL players of the month winners walk home richer with M3 500, coaches with M2 500 and match officials with M2000.
Referees' no-show up not a sabotage
Failing to show up for last weekend's Econet Premier League fixtures was not in actual fact a sabotage.
Referees Committee secretary, Maponyane Letsie, told The Sport the main reason why Lesotho referees could not officiate in games between LDF and Matlama, Majantja and Kick4Life last Sunday was because the officials were running fitness test.
Letsie said there was no anticipation that there would be Premier League fixtures on the same day.
"We have a three-year calendar which we made in line with the Premier League fixtures, and according to the calendar there were no top-flight league matches on that weekend,"
Letsie said on Wednesday.
However, Letsie said apart from that he made Premier League aware that referees would be running fitness test and they would no be available.
"The fitness test was compulsory but they (Premier League) insisted that the games will continue without any hindrance. I reminded them on radio (in a radio sports show) on December 18 and January 3 and 5."
The fitness test was on the same day the LDF-Matlama and Majantja -Kick4Life matches were scheduled.
The LDF-Matlama match was postponed due to Makoanyane XI's involvement in last month's COSAFA Under-20 Championships held in Kitwe, Zambia, with Matlama having more than three players at the Makoanyane XI squad; while Majantja-Kick4Life encounter had to be postponed because Majantja's late coach, Motlatsi Shale, was to be late to rest at the same day the encounter was initially set to take place last month.
PSL & EPL Sports Betting Preview by Gbets
In the English Premier League, all eyes will be on Manchester City’s visit to Anfield to take on Liverpool this Sunday. With Phillipe Coutinho now part of Liverpool’s history, the Reds may find it difficult against a ruthless and rampant City. Regardless, with both teams forward-thinking and on excellent form, this encounter should be a memorable EPL classic! Priced at 12/10, Manchester City are slight favourites for the win. A win for Liverpool is priced at 2/1, whereas the draw is priced at 11/4.
Expect a top of the table stale-mate? Place a bet at 6/1 for a 1-1 full time scoreThe most evenly-matched fixture of the weekend is Watford vs Southampton. With both teams on a similar win form of around 40%, this clash even has the bookies scratching their heads. Home team Watford are priced at odds of 15/10 for the win, whereas Southampton (who are creeping closer to the relegation zone) are priced at 2/1 to walk away with all 3 points. A draw is priced at 24/10.
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this weekend’s PSL & EPL match-ups.
Makoanyane XI into the COSAFA final
This was after the match ended in a goalless draw in regulation time. Makoanyane XI now face South Africa's Amajita in the final set for tomorrow at the same venue, Nkana Stadium.
Amajita beat Egypt 1-0 in another semi-final clash yesterday to make it into the final.
Lesotho qualified for the semi-final after topping Group C where it was pitted against Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola.
The Leslie Notsi charges first drew 0-0 with Zimbabwe before beating Namibia 2-1 and drawing 0-0 with Angola respectively.