Mohapi reveals Lioli’s winning formula

…as Tse Nala Beat arch-rivals Matlama and Bantu to lift Top-4 Charity Cup

NTHAKO MAJORO

MAFETENG – Lioli FC’s coach, Motheo ‘Six-to-Six’ Mohapi, has lifted the lid on the secret behind his team’s remarkable form, which has seen them triumph in both league and cup competitions.  The latest victory came last Saturday, when Lioli conquered arch-rivals Matlama and Bantu to claim the Maluti Mountain Cement (MMC) Top-4 Charity Cup at the Leshoboro Stadium.

The Teya-Teyaneng-based club edged past Matlama with a 2-1 win in the semi-final before narrowly beating Bantu 1-0 in the final to lift the coveted cup. This stunning performance mirrored their earlier success at the Maseru Community Cup (MCC) two months ago, where they also took down both Matlama and Bantu in back-to-back matches on the same day.

Under Mohapi’s leadership, Lioli have been a thorn in the side of their biggest rivals. Since his appointment at the beginning of last season, neither Matlama nor Bantu have managed to beat Lioli in any encounter. In fact, Mohapi has orchestrated five victories over Bantu in all competitions. This includes two league wins (3-1 in the first round and 1-0 in the second), a penalty shootout victory in the Berea Charity Cup after a goalless draw last year, and most recently, the (MMC) Top-4 Charity Cup triumph (1-0) and the MCC victory (2-1) in August.

Against Matlama, Mohapi’s men have won two out of four encounters, including a 1-0 win in the MCC and a 2-1 victory in last weekend’s MMC Top-4 Charity Cup. The other two matches, both in the 2023/24 league season, ended in 1-1 draws.

For the first time, Mohapi opened up about the tactical approach that has brought Lioli such consistent success. “Do not make the mistake of allowing Lioli to score first,” Mohapi revealed during a post-match interview. “If we score first, and we see that we do not have further opportunities to attack or increase the score, we focus on not conceding,” said Mohapi.

Lioli coach explained the method his team used in the final against Bantu, where they took the lead and then controlled the game.  “We decided to play in patches. At times, we instructed our back four to stop overlapping and focus on maintaining shape. We kept the defensive line solid to force Bantu into individual duels,” he said.

This defensive solidity frustrated their opponents. “If they wanted to keep possession, they had to drop deep into their own half, allowing us to force them into playing in front of us.”

 That became much easier for Lioli to control the game from there. However, Mohapi was quick to acknowledge the difficulty of their matches. “Both games were tough. It was not easy to beat Matlama and Bantu, but in the end, Lioli came out on top,” he said.

Mohapi praised the value of these high-intensity contests, saying: “These are the kind of games that sharpen our football wisdom. They are crucial for Lioli’s growth as a team and help us to play with more confidence.”

Lioli’s victory in the MMC Top-Top 4 Charity Cup adds to their impressive start to the 2024/25 season. The reigning league champions have already secured six points from their first two league fixtures, having beaten Majantja 2-0 and Linare 1-0 in recent weeks. Lioli’s next fixture is against Liphakoe at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena this Saturday, where they aim to continue their winning streak.

Mohapi’s tactical genius and his team’s resilience are quickly becoming hallmarks of this Lioli side, as they remain one of the dominant forces in Lesotho’s football.  With their eyes set on more silverware, Tse-Nala are undoubtedly a team to watch this season.