Lioli and Matlama finished their Vodacom Premier League clash at Setsoto Stadium with a 0‑0 draw, leaving both sides with points dropped in the title race. The result extended Lioli’s winless run to four matches, while Matlama missed a chance to widen the gap at the top of the table. Lioli entered the match hoping to end a streak of four consecutive goalless games, having drawn 1‑1 with Tšikgale and then failed to score against Majantja and Lijabatho. Over their last four fixtures, Lioli earned only four points from a possible 12 and now sit fifth on the table with 14 points. Coach Blessings Moyo said the game was “balanced” and that either side could have won. “Matlama could have scored, we could have scored; it could have gone either way,” he said. “But for us, a draw is not the result that we wanted. It is a fourth one in a row. The good part is that in the four games, we have conceded only once. Basically, I would say defensively we have been working well. It is only offensively that we really need to take those chances and make sure they count.” Matlama, coached by Thabile Secker, entered the match as league leaders after a 2‑0 win over Linare. The 0‑0 draw left them on 19 points, still ahead of second‑placed Lijabatho, who have 17 points. A victory over Villa at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena would take Lijabatho to 20 points, while third‑placed Bantu, with 16 points, could close the gap when they face Limkokwing University at the same venue. Secker praised Lioli’s preparation, noting that the team had studied Matlama’s previous performance. “We did not win, but the performance was not that bad. What I saw was that Lioli did their assignment; they watched us play last weekend,” he said. “We still have a long way to go. It is a game of football, and a draw is part of it.” Other league action on the same day included Majantja’s 4‑0 victory over Mzamane at Mohale’s Hoek Ground, and LDF’s 1‑0 win over LMPS, leaving the police side still searching for their first win after eight matches. At Setsoto Stadium, Manonyane staged a comeback to beat Machokha 3‑2, while Lifofane defeated LCS 2‑0 at the LCS Ground.
Article and image source: Sunday Express