Maseru
Last Sunday, Lioli FC faced Linare FC in the Alliance Insurance-sponsored tournament at Bambatha Tšita sports complex, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat despite being the reigning Vodacom Premier League champions.
The match was marked by a controversial red card, leaving Lioli FC one player short, which contributed to their loss.
Following the match, Lioli FC manager Motheo Mohapi openly acknowledged the defeat, stating that the team deserved to lose.
“As Lioli FC, we are not afraid of losing. A loss is a loss—that’s football. But I must emphasize that Lioli FC had to lose this game,” Mohapi remarked.
Mohapi attributed the loss to internal challenges within the team, suggesting that current issues are having a negative impact on their performance. He also pointed to broader problems within the football community, particularly the politics surrounding player selection for the national team, which he believes are affecting Lioli FC’s ability to win.
“As a football fan and someone experienced in the sport, it’s clear that, given the current political climate in our football fraternity, Lioli FC is going to struggle to win. The confusion over national team selections is damaging to the game,” he explained.
Mohapi also criticized the referee’s decision to issue a red card to one of his players, arguing that the foul in question should have warranted only a yellow card.
“The red card was unfair. The players collided, and the ball was in our goalkeeper’s favor. If a card was necessary, it should have been a yellow. It seemed obvious that the referee wanted Lioli to play with a man down,” he stated.
Despite the loss, Mohapi remains focused on addressing the challenges facing his team as they prepare for future matches
