Elvis Chipezeze has issued a rallying cry to Magesi fans, urging them to paint Toyota Stadium in Limpopo colors when they face Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2024 Carling Knockout Cup final on Saturday (18:00).

Dikwena Tsa Meetse’s remarkable journey in this competition has captivated football fans across the nation led by the goalie with three Player of the Match performances. Their fairytale run, fuelled by the passionate support of the Limpopo faithful, has put the club on the brink of making history.

“I’m just excited to be in another final in South Africa, with the fans that are rallying behind me. They play a key role in whatever we are doing now,” said Chipezeze, beaming with pride. 

“I just want them to come in their numbers, fill up the buses from Limpopo, come to Bloem, and rally behind the boys because we really need them.”

The veteran shot-stopper reflected on the team’s meteoric rise, from the Motsepe Foundation Championship days to their current exploits in the Betway Premiership and the Carling Cup.

“We just want to make this province and our people here in Limpopo proud, of what we have achieved, looking back, coming from the NFD, lifting the trophy in the NFD, coming again into the Betway Premiership, having a good run in the Carling Cup, being in the final. You can’t be sad about it; you just have to enjoy the moment,” he shared.

“We’ve made history on our own as a football club. We are a small club, we are still growing, we are still going to make mistakes here and there, but we are growing,” he assured, speaking with a blend of humility and determination.

Awaiting them in the final is Sundowns, the perennial powerhouses of South African football. For Chipezeze, the challenge of facing the Brazilians is a source of inspiration rather than intimidation.

“It’s a motivation on its own because we are playing one of the big teams in South Africa and also in Africa,” he said. 

“They’ve been doing well, looking at their past results. They are unbeaten in this cup and just fell short when they played Polokwane City in Limpopo (in the league). We are just looking forward to Saturday and trying to make sure that we work as hard as we can, like we’ve been doing in the past games.”

Sundowns’ dominance in domestic and continental competitions makes them formidable opponents, but Chipezeze believes Magesi’s game-by-game mindset and joy-filled approach could tip the scales. He stressed the importance of staying composed and treating the final like any other match, despite the stakes and emotions involved.

“It’s going to be a once-off game; we know finals are different. There will be emotions and feelings also. We are just going to go out there and enjoy, put a smile on our faces, and enjoy because we are in this game to enjoy,” he said.

“We can’t be tense because it’s a final. As much as there is a lot at stake, we are going to approach this game like we’ve been approaching other games.”

As the countdown to kick-off continues, Magesi FC carries the hopes of a province determined to see their team defy the odds. With Chipezeze between the posts and Limpopo in full support, the underdogs are ready to embrace the occasion and make their mark in South African football history.

If Magesi can pull off a win, they will become the second Limpopo side to win the major trophy after Baroka won the very same competition in the 2018/19 season and Chipezeze was part of that side.