Happy Jele: ‘If they can beat Pirates, who can stand in their way?’
Orlando Pirates legend Happy Jele has posed a compelling question about Magesi FC’s potential. After witnessing the Limpopo side’s shock win over his former club, he questioned, “If they can beat Pirates, who can stand in their way?”
Magesi FC, the newly-promoted sensation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship, have defied expectations and earned a place in the Carling Knockout Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns. This historic achievement marks their first-ever appearance in a top-flight cup final.
The Limpopo side’s journey to the final has been nothing short of extraordinary. They stunned the football world by defeating Orlando Pirates 3-2 in the round of 16, followed by victories over TS Galaxy and Richards Bay FC in the subsequent rounds.
Now, Magesi face the daunting task of taking on the mighty Sundowns at the Toyota Stadium in Free State on Saturday, November 23rd, at 6PM. As underdogs, they will aim to shock the football world once again and claim a historic trophy.
Jele is optimistic that Magesi can continue their giant-killing form. He attributes their success to a strong team spirit fostered by the club, which has been instrumental in their impressive Carling Knockout Cup run.
HAPPY JELE ON WHAT MAGESI FC DID RIGHT IN THE CARLING KNOCKOUT CUP CAMPAIGN
He insisted that the Clinton Larsen-coached side maintained the same winning attitude they had in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, allowing the club to perform strongly against top teams.
“I think the way they play, they are so committed in such a way that they play as a team, not as individuals. They work their socks off,” Jele told FARPost.
“You know, that spirit they showed in the Motsepe Foundation Championship to win the league, now they have shown they still have the same spirit that they had [the winning mentality].
“So, whoever they face, they always go toe-to-toe with them. You can see the way they surprised Orlando Pirates in the first game of this year’s Carling Knockout Cup, and now they have managed to go through to the finals. That belief they had while playing against Pirates carried them all the way.”
Jele further added: “It shows now that it is possible; if they can beat Pirates, who else can stand in their way? They have worked hard, and they didn’t get to the finals by luck but because they put a lot of effort into each and every game they played.
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