WeeklySA_AdminHOME TURF: Coach Owen Da Gama keen to continue impressive, gutsy performances for Dikwena Tsa Meetse…
By Masoja Cele
Magesi FC relentless form in recent outings will be tested on Sunday when they host TS Galaxy in a crunch Betway Premiership fixture at Seshego Stadium, Polokwane. Kick-off 15:00.
Under the stewardship of Owen Da Gama, Magesi have seen their fortunes changed for better. When the well travelled mentor arrived at the ‘’Dikwena tsa Meetsi’’, the team was lying at the wrong end of the log table. The former Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates coach was brought in to replace his predecessor Clinton Larson. However, on his arrival Da Gama instill new lease of life to the team. Magesi are now transformed and play rigid football coupled with discipline and dedication. The feat has yielded positive results to the team and elevated them to a respectable position on the log.
With home ground advantage, Magesi will be keen to continue with their impressive gutsy performance from their previous five matches before the Nedbank Cup week. In those five matches ‘’Dikwena tsa Meetse’’ narrowly beat SuperSport United 1-0, before losing 1-0 at Kaizer Chiefs, then turned the tables against Richards Bay, Golden Arrows, and Stellenbosch all with 1-0 tally. The Limpopo based side sits eleventh on the league table with twenty nine points from twenty four outings. They have six matches left to complete the season. Should Magesi win against Galaxy then they will elevate them to a better position to fight for a top eight slot.
Coach Da Gama and his technical team will hope for another emphatic showing from his troops. The duo’s attacking of speedy winger Wonderboy Makhubo and striker Edmore Chirambadare will have to be at their supreme best if they are to pose any danger to the opposition defence. In the engine room industrious midfielder Johnny Mokone and Deolin Mekoa are expected to control the proceeding with their quality display. Meanwhile, in form goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze will be expected to shut the back door to prevent Galaxy fiery strike force from rattling his goal net.
Nevertheless, Magesi won’t have an easy day against Galaxy. The Mpumalanga teams are a hard nut to crack when they are on song. Since their 4-1 loss to the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in February, The Rockets picked themselves up beating Golden Arrows, SuperSport United, AmaZulu, drew 1-1 against Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town City. However, this splendid record was dented by a 2-1 loss to Marumo Gallants. Galaxy are fighting to cement for a place in the top eight bracket. With that on sight, the stage is set for grueling encounter.
The Rockets coach Adnan Beganovic has done a remarkable work after taking the reins from Sead Ramovic in November. The Bosnia-Herzegovina native has changed the fortunes of the team to greater heights with limited resources. Normally, Galaxy depends on their DDC side for promotion of youngsters. Several youthful players, the likes of Ndumiso Xulu, Muzi Mahlangu, Sibongiseni Shelembe and Ethan Brooks who has since joined AmaZulu.
Besides the above mentioned players, The Rockets boast a formidable squad that includes the likes of former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Keegan Dolly, and the Bosnian forward Dzenan Zajmovic and Puso Dithetjane who could be a threat to Magesi human wall. This will be an uphill battle for both teams.
