In the end, the “recess” was merely a soft landing for a hard fall. After about two weeks of tactical shadow-boxing and touchline absences, Magesi FC have delivered a definitive verdict on their coaching situation.
The Limpopo side has severed ties with head coach John Maduka and appointed veteran Allan Freese as his immediate successor.
The decision marks a jarring pivot for Dikwena tša Meetse. Just days ago, the narrative suggested a seamless internal promotion for assistant Abram Nteo, who had been “tipped” to take the reins permanently after leading the team in Maduka’s conspicuous absence against Orlando Pirates and Upington City FC. Instead, the club hierarchy has opted for the experience of Freese, explaining that the desperate need for top-flight survival outweighed the sentiment of continuity.
A DEPARTURE BY “MUTUAL CONSENT”: MADUKA OUT, FREESE IN
The official communication from the club, released on Wednesday afternoon, brought a swift end to a saga that had seen Maduka sidelined from training and match-day duties since the turn of the year.
“This is to inform the public that Magesi Football Club has on this day terminated the coaching contract of John Maduka with immediate effect by mutual consent,” the statement reads. “The club has also concluded contractual engagements with Coach Allan Freese, who will resume responsibilities with immediate effect.”
This finality comes after a period where Maduka was spotted not on the bench, but in the stands of the Orlando Amstel Arena, seated next to CEO John Mathibe while Nteo barked orders from the dugout last month. It was a picture of a man already disengaged, a coach whose thoughts were likely already on the settlement meeting that eventually took place this week.
THE U-TURN: WHY FREESE OVER NTEO?
The board’s decision to bypass Nteo—Maduka’s long-term lieutenant for an external appointment is a clear admission of the gravity of their situation. Magesi currently languishes in 16th place with a meagre 11 points from 15 games. While Nteo offered familiarity, the hierarchy’s thoughts evidently shifted toward Freese’s proven track record in the SA top-flight.
It is understood Maduka’s settlement was due to be finalised on Monday, failing which he would have had to be reinstated. However, his absence from Magesi’s travelling squad to Upington for their Nedbank Cup Round of 32 exit on Saturday strongly suggested his departure was a formality.
In Freese, Magesi are lining up a coach to spearhead a survival bid similar to the one Owen da Gama navigated last season. Freese boasts vast expertise, having clinched the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout double with Platinum Stars in 2013.
More recently, Freese’s thoughts were occupied in North Africa. He spent nearly a season in Casablanca as a technical coach under Rulani Mokwena at Wydad AC, before the club opted for local appointments ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Now back on home soil, Freese is tasked with a singular mission: maximising the two games in hand Magesi hold over Orbit College FC
THE BITTER VERDICT FOR MADUKA
For Maduka, the exit is a bitter pill. Appointed to improve on a 13th-place finish, his tenure was plagued by a lack of clinical edge—managing just two wins in 15 league matches and scoring only 10 goals all season. The statistical verdict proved impossible for the board to ignore.
Freese faces a baptism of fire this Friday when he leads Magesi FC against Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership. But as he takes the wheel, the shadow of the “internal solution” remains.
Abram Nteo, who handled the recent uncertainty with total diplomacy, now finds himself back in a supporting role—or perhaps at a career crossroads.
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