Magesi FC head coach Clinton Larsen has revealed his strategy for the new season, explaining why he’s opted for players often overlooked by other top-flight clubs.
The Limpopo club confirmed the acquisition of 12 new players. The side aims to be competitive in the SA football top flight following its automatic promotion from the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
The 12 recruits are Menzi Ndwandwe, Kgaogelo Sekgota, Lebogang Mabotja, Wonderboy Makhubu, Bongani Mpandle, Jacob Everson, Gift Motupa, Tshepo Kakora, Limbikani Mzava, Sello Motsepe, Maloisane Mokhele, and Delano Abrahams.
This comes after Magesi let go of 12 players in their first season in the SA elite league. The 12 players include Mpho Raseona, Mcedi Vandala, Dawny Makgatho, Elson Sithole, Diamond Thopola, Tebogo Mokalapa, Mmahlogo Masemola, Raphile Mawela, Thitswalo Masebe, Katleho Molaba, Ntuthuko Mlotshwa, and Vuyisile Wana, who is now one of the assistant coaches of the Magesi’s DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] side.
CLINTON LARSEN ON WRITTEN-OFF PLAYERS
Larsen made it clear that working with players deemed to be written off by many is a challenge he really likes.
The former Golden Arrows mentor insists that he doesn’t look at the players’ but looks at the quality of the player and what he can bring to the team.
Larsen was referring to Gift Motupa and Kgaogelo Sekgota, who struggled to find clubs after cutting ties with Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch FC, respectively.
Since leaving Sundowns, it was difficult for Motupa to find a team. Even though he had an opportunity to play for Baroka FC, his mental health issues forced him to leave Bakgaga to focus on his mental health.
Meanwhile, Sekgota couldn’t find a team after Stellenbosch released him due to ill-discipline. However, the talented winger is refocused and aims to help Magesi reach the promised land.
“When it comes to this season, when I look to my right-hand side and look at the players that we have brought in, it’s going to be a tough season. As much as I’m an optimist, realistically, we are going to be written off from day one,” said Larsen.
“We have a lot of players who were written off by their previous teams, and that is exactly how I like it. These are the challenges I like. When I look at my right-hand side, I don’t look at the age or which country you are coming from. I look at the player’s quality and what he can bring to the team.”
‘I’M QUITE CONFIDENT THEY WILL DELIVER’
Larsen further stated that he believes all the players who have joined Magesi will deliver fruitful results.
“I’m quite confident that the players that have come in to reinforce the team are going to deliver in terms of the performances we are looking for and the fighting spirit,” he added.
“As I have said, it’s not going to be easy. We have seen teams that get promoted and how often they start off the season fighting to be on the top of the table but ending up at the bottom. This is a fight we are up for.”
‘I DON’T SIGN BIG NAMES PLAYERS, BUT I SIGN BIG PERFORMERS’
Larsen went on to reveal that he doesn’t like to sign big-name players but ‘big performers’ who will bring changes to the club.
“Someone once called me and asked, “Which big-name players have you guys signed?” I then said, “None,” because I want to sign big performers. When you have big performers, your name gets big,” he added.
“There are many big names that are underperforming in the PSL. We want big performers, not the other way around.
“I can tell the entire football fraternity of South Africa that there are names in here that are unknown in the PSL who are going to come and make names for themselves and they are going to be in demand by bigger clubs. Believe me when I say a lot of them are going to be in demand very soon.”
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