Larsen explains Magesi’s tactical approach to eliminate Pirates from Carling Knockout

Magesi FC head coach Clinton Larsen has explained the tactical approach from his side to eliminate Orlando Pirates from the 2024 Carling Knockout Cup Last 16.

Dikwena claimed a massive 3-2 win over the Buccaneers in the Carling Knockout at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Magesi had a flying to the match after scoring three goals in the first-half to go into the half-time break with a 3-0 lead.

In the second-half, Pirates pushed to overturn the scoreline and book a spot in the quarter-finals in a dramatic fashion. However, the Soweto giants scored two late goals on the second-half. Magesi held on to cause the biggest upset of the weekend.

The Limpopo-based outfit scored goals through Delano Abrahams, Edmore Chirambadare, and own goal by Thabiso Sesane. On the other hand, Kabelo Dlamini and Evidence Makgopa were on the scoresheet for the Jose Riveiro-coached team.

Before facing Magesi, Pirates clinched their third successive MTN8 title after defeating Stellenbosch FC 3-1 in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium a fortnight ago.

Pirates came to the match against Magesi as favourites after establishing themselves as the ‘Cup kings of South African football’ in recent years.

MAGESI FORCED ORLANDO PIRATES TO PLAY WIDE

Clinton Larsen disclosed that the game plan was to prevent Pirates from penetrating them from the centre and forced them to play wide.

“I think in the first-half we knew that they are going to want to penetrate us from middle. We practiced the whole week to give their wide players the ball. We rather defend crosses than to have them penetrate from the middle,” Larsen said.

“So you could see the compactness out of position was very good, they couldn’t penetrate us and that worked for us, as a result, it created a lot of turnovers for us which we created break attacks from.

“And that really worked well for us, and in the second-half Pirates came alive, it’s as simple as that, the Pirates that didn’t show up in the first-half through our good organisation really had nothing to lose but to throw caution to the wind.

“I was expecting that from them hence there was no celebrations, we poked the bear so you must be ready for whatever that’s coming.”

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