VODACOM Premier League pacesetters, Matlama edged closer to their historic 11th championship after beating LMPS 3-1 on Sunday while Bantu dropped points against playing a 2-all stalemate against Kick4Life on the same day.

The 3-1 victory over Simunye saw Matlama open a 15-point gap between them and second-placed Bantu at the summit of the league table, though A-Matšo-Matebele are two games behind.

Jane Thabantšo was on top form scoring a brace after Makume Theletsane had put Tse-Putsoa ahead in the early stages of the match played at the Ratjomose Barracks.

A brace from Hlompho Kalake saved the day for Bantu as they came from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Kick4Life at LCS Ground.

The Mafeteng-based outfit went to this match without their coach, Thabo Tsutsulupa, who was handed a week-long suspension by the management of the club for poor showing.

In Tsutsulupa’s absence, Dlomo Monaphathi, Liteboho Mokhesi and Thapelo Mokhehle oversaw the club.

Bantu are currently in second position with 44 points while Matlama are at the top of the standings with 59 points but have played two games more than Bantu.

Elsewhere on Sunday, relegation-threatened Swallows stunned Likhopo by 2-1 for their third victory in 23 matches, which boosted their hopes of avoiding the chop.

The Mazenod-based outfit now mentored by its legendary coach, Teele Ntšonyana, is second from bottom and separated by four points with Likhopo, who are above them in the relegation dogfight.

Meanwhile, Linare blew a two-goal advantage to play to a 2-2 all draw against Lifofane at the Maputsoe DIFA Ground. The Leribe-based outfit is without a win from its last three matches.

On Saturday, LCS were ruthless registering a 7-0 victory over bottom of the table Sefotha Fotha, with Makara Ntaitsane and Keketso Snyders, both scoring braces.

The big victory saw Masheshena go to 41 points alongside Lioli, who registered a hard fought 1-0 victory over CCX courtesy of a goal by Swithbert Kum.