Will the football David’s of Magesi down the premiership Goliaths of Sundowns?

Another footballing giant could be on the brink of becoming a potential victim of Goliath-slaying Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on November 23.
This follows seven-time premiership champions in a row Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2-0 cruise to the finals of the cup at the expense of a gallant Marumo Gallants at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on November 10.

Read more: MTN 8 lacklustre Mamelodi Sundowns in for a tough Betway Premiership
Premiership rookie Magesi surprised many when it despatched Richards Bay 1-0 from the cup competition a day earlier to book its spot in the final. The Brazilians’ win paved the way for a scintillating final clash between the Biblical scenario of David versus Goliath.
When the cup competition opened last month, no one gave Magesi any chance in a tough first-round pairing with in-form Orlando Pirates, but Magesi silenced many when it slaughtered one of the Soweto big guns, the Mighty Buccaneers, a team that has acquired the status of being cup specialists after defending the MTN 8 trophy thrice in a row and the Nedbank Cup twice in a row.

Also read: Sundowns cup quest means they must not be the fall guy

The cup specialists had to come from a 3-0 score line to lose the opportunity to advance to the next round in a 2-3 score line. In the quarterfinals, Magesi beat last year’s finalists TS Galaxy by a solitary goal to advance to the semis.
With this impressive dream run in the competition, the maidens of the Betway Premiership are keeping their fingers tightly crossed for the slaying of the rampant Sundowns in the finals and thereby etch their name not just in the cup but in the annals of football history by becoming the first rookies to ever win a major cup.
Coached by the illustrious Durban-born ex-footballer Clinton Larsen, who in his final years as a player masterminded the midfield for the Mighty Buccaneers, Magesi now plays an exciting brand of football since his arrival in late September.
Larsen’s major test was against the Buccaneers in the first round of the Carling Knockout competition, a clash which he earlier vowed to win against The Ghosts and lived up to his wish. All eyes are on Larsen in the final to see whether he can guide Magesi to yet another giant-slaying act against Downs.

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