Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lioli caretaker coach Shetsane Ramoseka has admitted that his players are struggling mentally and need to shape up quickly to rescue their season. Lioli have endured a disappointing start to the 2022/23 Vodacom Premier League campaign and find themselves in seventh place after they had hoped to be challenging for a first title since 2016.
Things went from bad to worse last month when Bafokeng Mohapi abruptly resigned as coach after only three months in charge. Ramoseka admitted Lioli’s struggles have affected the players and he said they need to adapt to the current situation at the club.
Ramoseka was speaking to thepost after a 1-1 draw with the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) in Teyateyaneng on Sunday where ‘Tse Nala’ rescued a point in the dying minutes through Switbirth Kum following a goalmouth scramble in the LCS box.
Teboho Montlha had given ‘Masheshena’ the lead early in the second half via a penalty after a Lioli player was penalised for handling a ball in the box.
Lioli’s frustrations began to boil over after going behind which allowed the visitors to grow in confidence but, despite numerous chances, LCS could not double their lead and they paid dearly in the end.
Kum’s equaliser came with some controversy and confusion when LCS bench fumed because the assistant referee on the far side had his flag up when the ball hit the net. However, the assistant referee was marking a foul against the visitors in their own box and the referee correctly allowed the play on.
The draw left LCS seven points behind Bantu who are cruising at the top of the table after ‘A Matšo Matebele’ recorded their seventh straight victory with a 2-0 victory over Linare in Maputsoe last Saturday.
The chasing pack now has a mountain to climb. For Lioli, their priority at the moment is just fighting to stay in the top eight bracket. Ramoseka said Mafoso’s departure affected the players but he said they need to snap back to reality because such things happen in football.
“They are still a bit confused in their heads (after) the coach left, we have been talking with them trying to make them understand that these things happen,” Ramoseka said.
“We prepared well for LCS (because) we know them,” the Lioli caretaker coach added.
“If you look at their balls, they were coming from the goalkeeper, the ones that were going to sides were the ones being played by players; we worked on that.
We conceded a penalty and lost confidence a bit after,” he continued. Ramoseka said one of the main problems that Lioli have is creating opportunities to score and converting them.
Although Kum is their trusted goal-scorer, he is often found wandering inside the pitch when the midfielders and creative players are not creating chances enough for him. Sometimes Kum has to drop just to touch the ball, which was again the problem for ‘Tse Nala’ on Sunday against LCS.
“It’s not a loss, it’s a fair score but we wanted a victory; if you look at the way we conceded it was early but it gave us a chance to work hard and keep our head,” Ramoseka said.
Next up Lioli take on Bantu on Saturday in Mohale’s Hoek. Ramoseka said he hopes ‘Tse Nala’ can start converting the half chances they are creating. They will need to be at their best to stand any chance of even getting a point against the runaway log leaders.
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