New kids on the block Magesi FC have had a relatively decent start to the season, registering four points in as many matches despite lacking topflight football experience.
They are currently perched 12 on the Betway Premiership.
table and are sitting comfortably in front of three-time PSL winners SuperSport United, Marumo Gallants and TS Galaxy.
They opened with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Sekhukhune United after applying themselves well in the Polokwane encounter. They were then nailed by neighbours Polokwane City who gave them a baptism of fire with a 2-0 margin in front of their supporters.
Magesi then started picking up and stole a hard earned 1-0 away victory against Golden Arrows at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale. Last week, they got their first draw against Royal AM at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
It has not been a bad showing at all for the newcomers and coach Clinton Larsen says that although he is pleased with the four points, he is not satisfied.
“People are saying that we should be happy with the four points because it is our first season in topflight football. I don’t agree with that, and do not subscribe to that kind of thinking,” Larsen told Sunday World.
“In fact, we are three points short. We should have gotten a point against Sekhukhune because we played very well. And we should have won the maximum points against Royal AM because we should have scored the winning goal. But there’s steady improvement and we hope we can continue when we play in the Carling Knockout Cup later this month,” he added.
The former Manning Rangers and Orlando Pirates player revealed the boys are working very hard to settle down in the highest tier of SA football.
“The adaptation into the PSL has not been easy for some of the players. Some of the boys have only played four matches in this big league but they are growing.
“Their tactical awareness is improving, and they will get better with every match. I can say that we are four points towards safety, and we just have to keep collecting points and move in the direction, and not towards the danger of relegation. If we can reach the 32-point mark, we will be better off.
“I am happy that we are on a break. We played four matches in a space of 10 days and that took its toll on the players. We have given the players time to rest, and we will use the remaining two weeks to prepare for the Carling Knockout Cup.
“Now we will use the time to prepare but it is difficult to plan when you do not know who your next opponent is going to be. We are just waiting for the Carling Knockout Cup draw to be made on October 8. It’s a cup competition and the odds are stacked against us.” he added.
After the Carling, Magesi will resume their PSL campaign with an away fixture against Cape Town City on October 27.
Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content
