Magesi FC ponders their grueling journey in top flight as the Premiership camapaign kicks off.
Like a veteran sculptor, Magesi FC Clinton Larsen is masterfully crafting his masterpiece in a calculated bid assemble a team of generational mix.
Larsen has been pondering a gruelling journey he has to navigate with his newly-promoted side as the Betway Premier Soccer League blasts off on the weekend of September 14 and 15.
The Limpopo-based out will open their top-flight campaign against Sekhukhune United on September 18 at the Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.
Dikwena tsa Meetse, as the team is affectionately within its fan base, will return to the same football fortress for the eagerly-awaited Limpopo derby that promises to be a swashbuckling affair.
Since their recent promotion to the top flight league, the winds of change have been sweeping from all frontiers, and that breezes is nurturing fresh talent from relative obscurity.
Magesi FC earned promotion to the top tier with remarkable flourish when they annihilated Milford FC 3-1 to win the Motsepe Foundation Championship with two games to spare.
Though camaraderie did not exist in the “Blue Nation” the players and technical staff now stand head and shoulders with the aristocrats of South African football.
Speaking to Mopani Times recently, Larsen said his charges will be out to prove that winning the National First Division was no fluke.
Both Larsen and captain, Elvis Chipezeze were in congruence when they acknowledge that the PSL is a cutthroat business that requires big match temperament.
Larsen said he was pleased of the generational blend in the team, saying the idea of fusing novices and veterans has created massive depth in the style of play.
He reckons the veterans in the squad will provide the catalyst for comprehensive match-winning adventures while the novelty acts will bring a new style never seen before.
Larsen is expected to rely heavily on the old guards that features the like of goalkeeper Chipezeze and the attacking duo of Gift Motupa and Kgaogelo Sekgota.
Motupa comes with vast experience, having played for Orlando Pirates and reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns while Sekgota was recently at Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC.
“The presence of these experience players is a huge motivation for the newcomers. Most importantly is that the combination of veterans and newbies provide a balanced game plan. The elite league requires intelligent players and out team is gifted in the regard. The kind of football we are going to play is going to be fail-safe ball possession and fierce attacking. This is how you manage your game plan with relative ease” Larsen explained.
Chipezeze said the start of the new season spells exciting moments for the youngsters who want to make a significant impact in the top flight football.
The Zimbabwean international shot stopper said since their promotion, every player has been relishing the prospects of playing against so-called big teams.
He said “The mood in the camp has changed in a big way and so is the club culture. It is incumbent upon every player to prove that his presence in the squad is not just to add to the number but to make a significant impact. During the off-season, the club’s management has made some signings which we hope will add more value to the team. We have been hard at work during training sessions and friendlies. Coach Clinton has brought deferent methods and now the team is gelling. We are bringing all the artillery regiments as we prepare for the league without showing any respect for our opponents irrespective of their previous track records. Our mission is to ensure that we collect maximum points in each and every fixture to remain on a better position on the log standings. The word relegation is hardly used in our club vocabulary and therefore our detractors could forget about seeing us relegated at the end of the league season.”