GOAL GFXWith Mamelodi Sundowns dominating South African football in recent years, fans of rival teams like Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are dreaming of an upset.
But can Magesi, under the guidance of Clinton Larsen, pull off one of the most memorable shocks in recent history?
Here, GOAL takes a look into Magesi’s journey to the final, history of historic cup upsets in the world of football and Masandawana’s cup hoodoo.
BackpagepixThe Bucs and Amakhosi faithful rarely agree on anything. But Sundowns’ domestic dominance has given them common ground: the desire to see Masandawana stumble. Chiefs and Pirates supporters have suffered plenty of heartbreak at Sundowns’ hands, so the prospect of a final defeat for their rivals is appealing.
Add to this Magesi’s elimination of the Sea Robbers in the first round of the competition and the underdogs are now carrying the hopes of almost every PSL fan - except those wearing yellow and blue.
BackpageMagesi’s road to the Carling Knockout Cup final has been nothing short of extraordinary. After stunning Pirates in the first round, they held their nerve to overcome tricky opponents in TS Galaxy and later Richards Bay in the semi-final.
Earlier this season, they even managed to take points off Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League, proving they’re not fazed by the giants of South African football. Clinton Larsen, a former Pirates midfielder, has instilled resilience and belief in his team, showing that anything is possible in football.
BackpageFootball history is filled with underdog stories that inspire teams like Magesi. Who can forget Wigan Athletic’s famous FA Cup triumph in 2013 when they shocked Manchester City with a 1-0 win?
In South Africa, there are plenty of similar stories. Baroka FC’s penalty shootout win over Orlando Pirates in the 2018 Telkom Knockout remains a classic, while Platinum Stars’ 2013 MTN8 triumph over Pirates highlighted how smaller clubs can punch above their weight.
BackpageDespite their glittering trophy cabinet, Sundowns’ record in the Carling Knockout Cup (formerly Telkom Knockout) isn’t perfect. They’ve reached eight finals but lost four of them (1997, 1998, 2007 and 2012).
These defeats prove that even the most dominant teams are vulnerable on the big stage. Could history repeat itself against Magesi? The reigning PSL champions will be heavy favourites, but that weight of expectation can sometimes work against teams of Sundowns’ calibre.
BackpageOver the past decade, the Carling Knockout Cup has been kind to underdogs. Stellenbosch, Platinum Stars, Cape Town City, Bidvest Wits and Baroka FC have all lifted the trophy despite being considered outsiders.
Magesi will take inspiration from these successes, knowing that this competition has a history of producing surprises. The unpredictability of cup football is why thousands will be tuning in, hoping for another fairytale ending.
Backpagepix