Magesi FC stunned Mamelodi Sundowns, beating them 2-1 in the Carling Knockout Cup final to lift their first trophy in the top-flight.
The Limpopo outfit came down from 1-0 to win the match, scoring two goals in the second half.
Afrik-Foot looks at five takeaways from the match:
- Clinton Larsen, a bogey coach for Sundowns
This was the second time that Larsen beat the Brazilians in the league cup final having gotten the better of them when he was still spearheading Bloemfontein Celtic in 2012. Siwelele downed the Tshwane giants 1-0 with Joel Mogorosi’s strike at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
- Sundowns Cup competition woes continue
The league champions have already lost all three cup finals they have played in the past two seasons. They were beaten by Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup.
They last won the domestic cup competition in 2022 when they triumphed over Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup.
- Elvis Chipezeze makes almost half a million from Carling KO
The Zimbabwean shot-stopper has been a key man for the Clinton Larsen-coached side, delivering stunning performances for his side against Pirates (Round of 16), TS Galaxy (quarter-final), Richards Bay FC (semi-final) and Sundowns in the final.
He was voted Man of the Match in all four matches, bagging R400 000 (R100 000 each match).
- Trophy for the minnows
The big three (Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns) haven’t won this trophy since it was sponsored by Carling in 2023.
Last season, Stellenbosch FC won the cup after beating TS Galaxy in the final which was held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
- Cup competition pressure mounts on Mngqithi
With the Patrice Motsepe-owned outfit known for aiming all trophies they play for, the pressure is also mounting on head coach Mngqithi who has lost the two cup competitions (MTN8 and Carling Knockout) Sundowns have played this season.
He’s now left with the CAF Champions League, Nedbank Cup, Betway Premiership and FIFA Club World Cup.
