The player whose crucial equaliser shattered Mamelodi Sundowns’ Carling Knockout Cup dreams last season, Tshepo Kakora, has reportedly fallen out of favour at Magesi FC and is now locked in a tense contract dispute with the club.
Kakora, the former Hungry Lions and La Masia forward, etched his name into Magesi FC folklore on November 23, 2024, when his early second-half goal, a decisive downward header from an Edmore Chirambadare cross, levelled the score in the Carling Knockout final against the heavily favoured Masandawana.
The moment famously unsettled Sundowns before Delano Abrahams netted the late winner, securing Magesi’s historic first top-flight silverware.
Less than a year after his pivotal role in that fairytale triumph, sources close to the club indicate that Kakora is at loggerheads with the Magesi management. The 27-year-old attacker has seen his playing time drastically reduced this season, making only three substitute appearances and has yet to register a goal.
DEADLOCK IN TSHEPO KAKORA AND MAGESI
The growing tension escalated into a request for a separation, with the player seeking an exit payment arrangement. The club’s proposal of a three-month salary settlement was well below the player’s demand for a six-month salary settlement.
The deadlock in negotiations appears to have led to a firm decision from the technical team. According to reports, the coaching staff has now decided they no longer want the player in the senior setup. As a result of the ongoing fallout, Kakora has been instructed to train with the club’s Diski Challenge [DDC] team.
Magesi have struggled this season under coach John Maduka, who replaced Owen Da Gama. Da Gama had orchestrated their survival, but did not renew his contract at the end of last season.
The Limpopo side is currently 15th after winning two of their 14 games, playing five draws, and seven losses. They are just two points ahead of basement side Chippa United.
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