Magesi are gearing up for another giant-slaying mission as they prepare to face Orlando Pirates in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals.
Buoyed by their dramatic Round of 16 victory, the Limpopo outfit are eager to prove that last season’s shock win over the Buccaneers was no one-off.
This highly anticipated clash mirrors last year’s Round of 16 encounter at Orlando Stadium, where Magesi stunned Pirates with a 3-2 triumph, netting all three goals in a blistering first half and silencing the Soweto giants.
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That unforgettable campaign, led by then-coach Clinton Larsen, culminated in Magesi lifting the trophy after a memorable final win over Mamelodi Sundowns in Bloemfontein.
This season, however, Magesi are struggling in the league, having recorded only one win so far and sitting second from bottom of the table.
They face a Pirates side in formidable form, having won their last nine matches across all competitions. The Buccaneers also recently secured the MTN8 title for a record fourth consecutive season, claiming their first major silverware of the campaign.
Despite the challenge, current Magesi coach John Maduka believes his players’ fighting spirit can level the odds.
“It’s going to be tough because I wasn’t here when Magesi beat Pirates last time, but cup games are unpredictable. We did it before, and we can do it again,” said Maduka, as quoted by Sportswire.
“Every opponent is tough, and Pirates are no different. Maybe the pressure is more on them because of their winning streak. That could work in our favour — we can play freely,” he added.
Magesi will look to prove that last season’s victory was no fluke, aiming to pull off another memorable upset on a stage where anything can happen. The dates and venues for the semi-finals are yet to be revealed.