The 2025 Vodacom Premier League (VPL) season is shaping up into being one of the most unpredictable and refreshing title races in recent memory.

For a change, the script has flipped. Instead of the traditional giants, Lioli, Bantu, Matlama dictating the early tempo, a new trio of fearless challengers has shot up to the summit, shaking up the status quo.

Lijabatho FC, Majantja FC and Lifofane FC have stormed up the table into unfamiliar territory, occupying positions once jealously guarded by the country’s football royalty.

Lijabatho currently lead the charge with 24 points, closely shadowed by Majantja and Lifofane in second and third positions, respectively. Both Majantja and Lifofane are sitting on 23 points.

This past weekend, Lijabatho ascended to the top in emphatic fashion, hammering Members FC 4–0 with the swagger of a team that fully believes its name belongs among title contenders. Their rise was boosted by Majantja’s weather-disrupted clash against Matlama, abandoned before it could influence the standings.

Lifofane, meanwhile, continued their blistering run of form. Their 3–1 triumph over Linare at the energetic Saxophone Thejane Ground in Maputsoe was another statement of intent.

 Fresh from a 3–1 win over LCS, the Botha-Bothe side played with confidence and composure, showing the kind of maturity expected from seasoned giants, not rising challengers.

Linare, who had recently held Members to a draw, went toe-to-toe in physicality and determination, but Lifofane’s organisation and clinical finishing proved decisive.

With the first leg of the 2025/2026 campaign approaching conclusion, the rise of these underdogs is not just a feel-good subplot; it is fast becoming the season’s main storyline.

Whether they can sustain the momentum remains to be seen, but the footprint they have left so far is impossible to ignore.

Elsewhere, traditional powerhouse Matlama FC finally rediscovered their spark on Wednesday this week, grinding out a much-needed 0–1 victory over Manonyane FC in a catch-up match at Nyakosoba Ground.

Initially scheduled as part of a triple-header on November 23 at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena, the match was postponed due to the call-up of several Matlama stars to Makoanyane XI. Ironically, the delay may have worked in Matlama’s favour. It gave the Sea Point outfit time to regroup after a worrying run of three winless games, and adjust to the absence of head coach Shalane Lehohla, who is currently occupied with Mehalalitoe duties.

Tse Putsoa played with a renewed sense of urgency, attacking from all angles and showing the resilience fans had been missing. Their persistence finally paid off when Charlie converted a clever assist from Freddie, sealing the victory.

The win lifts some pressure, but they will need sustained consistency to revive their championship credentials.

In other action, defending champions Lioli FC survived a tense encounter against Machokha FC, scraping a narrow 1–0 win to recover from their goalless stalemate with Manonyane. Machokha fought bravely, but Lioli’s experience once again proved the difference.

At the bottom end of the table, Maroala remain anchored with 8 points, while Members continue to struggle, sitting 16th on just 5 points.

Past weekend results at a glance:

Lioli FC 1–0 Machokha FC, Manonyane FC 2–2 LMPS FC, LU FC 0–0 LDF FC, Lifofane FC 3–1 Linare FC, Bantu FC 2–1 Maroala FC, Liphakoe FC 1–1 LCS FC, Lijabatho FC 4–0 Members FC.

Upcoming fixtures:

Saturday: LMPS FC vs Machokha FC (13:00), LCS FC vs Manonyane FC (15:00), Majantja FC vs Lioli FC (15:00), Maroala FC vs Members FC (15:00).
Sunday (15:00): LDF FC vs Bantu FC, Matlama FC vs LU FC, Lifofane FC vs Liphakoe FC, Lijabatho FC vs Linare FC.

• Instead of the traditional giants, Lioli, Bantu, Matlama dictating the early tempo, a new trio of fearless challengers has shot up to the summit, shaking up the status quo.
• Initially scheduled as part of a triple-header on November 23 at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena, the match was postponed due to the call-up of several Matlama stars to Makoanyane XI.
• It gave the Sea Point outfit time to regroup after a worrying run of three winless games, and adjust to the absence of head coach Shalane Lehohla, who is currently occupied with Mehalalitoe duties.

Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.