Defending Champions Magesi FC Look to Rekindle Magic in Carling Knockout

Unlike last season, when they were an unknown quantity that stunned all and sundry by winning the Carling Knockout, Magesi FC begin the defence of their title a team figured out by their opposition. That much is evidenced by their lowly league table position, occupying second last spot ahead of Chippa United on goal difference.

Yet, the discerning soccer fan will remember that the team from Polokwane was going through a wretched run of form when they kick-started the country’s league cup with a shock defeat of Orlando Pirates. That they went all the way to defeat highly-favoured Mamelodi Sundowns in the final should be common knowledge.

Goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, the campaign’s superstar last time around, is aware of those similarities and is drawing confidence from them as they prepare to travel to AmaZulu for the first-round match.

“We are coming from setbacks and we have to move on and try to bring our A game in the cup match. We are the defending champions and we must just push and the rest will take care of itself,” the Zimbabwean international told media, during the club’s open training session in the Limpopo capital.

“Last year we were struggling but we started against Pirates and won despite our setbacks in the league. Now we are going away to AmaZulu and we are just going to have to play.

"We’ve played them already and we expect them to be the same. We know what they are capable of doing. But they also know us, so it is going to be an interesting game. We are the visitors and it will take hard work from every individual for us to go into the next round.”

Being the holders always brings an extra challenge, with every opposition looking to say they’ve knocked the champions. Chipezeze has been in the game long enough to be aware of that fact.

“The defending champions tag is one thing, and as a group we just need to look at it as an opportunity to shine once again. We need to take it one game at a time because the pressure is going to be there.

"As champions we need to do everything perfectly. Everyone knows what we are capable of, but the team we are playing against have experience and they are playing at home. We need to try and make the province happy.

"We are carrying that defending champions title and we must push through whatever comes to us. We must work hard. That’s what the coach has been preaching to us — hard work and more hard work. Just because we are champions does not mean you must not work.”

Chipezeze is personally under some pressure given his stellar performances in last year’s edition, where he was man of the match in every game and walked away with the tournament’s best player award. He relishes repeating the feat, though he says personal glory is secondary to the team’s success.

“It’s going to be nice to repeat last season’s performances, but while individual accolades are good, the team has to come first. If I do well, the team also shines.”

Magesi have been struggling so far this campaign, winning just a single match out of the nine they have played in the league. Can the Carling Knockout campaign provide them with the turnaround they so desperately need?

It did last season, and Chipezeze believes it will happen yet again.