Newly appointed Magesi FC coach, Owen Da Gama, has highlighted two players key to the team’s resurgence. The experienced mentor succeeds Clinton Larsen, who recently resigned from the position.
Larsen, credited with guiding the club to the Betway Premiership after a successful Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign, stepped down following their 3-0 defeat to the All Stars XI in the Carling Black Label Cup. Magesi qualified for the match as the 2024 Carling Knockout Cup champion.
With his extensive coaching experience, Da Gama is tasked with revitalising Magesi’s fortunes. The Premiership newcomers have struggled in the league, securing only one win, three draws, and six losses in their first 10 matches. This underwhelming performance leaves them languishing in 16th place with a mere six points from a possible 30.
“The main focus now is to turn the corner. We’re not even mentioning the word relegation. That doesn’t exist. I think it’s about just turning the corner and getting results,” he told journalists after his unveiling in Polokwane.
He blamed the challenging run on injuries and suspensions. ”I think the injuries didn’t help the team,” he added. Da Gama is convinced the many changes in the squad, particularly for league games, also affected the team.
The former Highlands Park and TS Galaxy coach likened Magesi’s situation to his previous club’s. “The same thing happened with me with Highlands Park, the first time we got promoted and went to the Coca-Cola final with [Kaizer] Chiefs.
“So it’s like an anti-climax because most of these players are in the PSL for the first time. So it was like an anticlimax for them.”
WHICH TWO PLAYERS WILL BE KEY FOR OWEN DA GAMA IN MAGESI FC REVIVAL?
He has named two players who could add a fresh spark to the team. “I’m trying to pick up everybody. Everybody is important in this team. If we can get Gift Motupa right, if we can get Sekgota right to be where they’re supposed to be at their maximal operations levels. I think it will help the team a lot,” explained Da Gama.
Motupa, whom the coach worked with in the youth national team, has struggled for game time since joining Magesi. He has only made two appearances. He came on as a substitute in both games.
Sekgota, formerly with Chiefs, has also found the going tough. He has started only three matches under Clinton Larsen. He further made five substitute appearances.
“But I think you’ve got some really good players. I was happy with [Wonderboy] Makhubo. And I am happy with [Bafedile] Baloyi. I think there are still quite a few other strikers available. So it’s just a matter of assessing all the players and creating healthy competition.”
In Da Gama’s first training session, part of the focus was on finishing exercises. Magesi have only scored four goals in their 10 league games.
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