It will be a ‘David vs Goliath’ contest when Magesi FC host Mamelodi Sundowns in the final of the Carling Knockout at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday November 23.
Magesi are the underdogs seeking to complete their fairytale run to the final but are up against mighty Sundowns, the overwhelming favourites to claim the trophy they last won in 2019.
Both teams come into the contest buoyed by their recent good run with Magesi unbeaten in their last seven games while Sundowns have lost one over that period.
Few predicted Magesi to make the final given the quality of outgoing champions Stellenbosch FC, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Sundowns but the newly-promoted team showed great fighting spirit to floor their opponents and make it to the final.
Form guide
Magesi’s run to the final started with a shock 3-2 victory over Pirates, surprising the Bucs with 3-0 halftime lead, before casting aside TS Galaxy and Richards Bay with identical 1-0 wins, to seal their ticket.
In the league, Clinton Larsen’s men have not been equally impressive, having won just one of their six games, but will be buoyed by their last seven matches where they have put together four wins and three draws.
Meanwhile, Sundowns’ only blip was the 1-0 loss away to Polokwane on October 27, the defeat coming after a seven-match winning run and then followed by four straight victories.
Worryingly for Magesi, Sundowns have not conceded during that four-match winning run, having scored 11 goals.
Head-to-head
This is the first meeting between Magesi ad Sundowns and Manqoba Mngqithi’s men have been tipped to win the match even though Larsen is pinning his hopes on his team’s recent good run.
What have they said?
Larsen agrees it is ‘Mission Impossible’ but feels they still have a chance if they can utilise their opportunities.
“You know, even though it might seem like ‘Mission Impossible’, and maybe me being Tom Cruise, you go into this encounter thinking Sundowns beat Golden Arrows 5-0 in the round of 16, in the quarter-finals they beat Kaizer Chiefs 4-0, and in the semis, they beat Marumo Gallants 2-0. So, you might be thinking Magesi stands no chance of beating Sundowns,” said Larsen.
“But the positives we can take out of that are the fact that every one of those teams created chances against Mamelodi Sundowns. When you play them, the only difference is whether you take those chances or not, because you will get chances.”
Mgqithi, meanwhile, does not want to be feared and is wary of a possible upset.
“Personally, I would not want to be feared before the fight, personally, that’s how I am, because you know when you’re fighting a coward and he’s already scared of you, he will give you the biggest left hook you’ve ever seen because he doesn’t want a comeback,” he said.
Team news
Both teams expect to have their full complement for Saturday’s match with no fresh injury concerns in either camp.
Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze has been named Man of the Match in three straight matches, after pulling off tops saves on their way to the final, while Sundowns playmaker Lucas Ribeiro will be looked upon for inspiration yet again.
Time, where to watch & ticket info
The match will kick off at 18.00 at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein and will live on SuperSport TV. Tickets are available at Ticketpro outlets countrywide and are retailing at R50.
Predicted lineups
Magesi predicted XI: Chipezeze, Mzava, L.Mokone, J.Mokone, Abrahams, Mekoa, Darpoh, Chirambadare, Kakora, Mashigo, Wakhubu
Sundowns predicted XI: Williams, Mvala, Kekana, Mudau, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Aubass, Ribeiro, Shalulile, Rayners
Score prediction
Magesi FC 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
