“Don’t Paint Me With That Brush” – Freese Hits Back As Magesi Woes Deepen
Magesi coach Allan Freese reacted angrily to suggestions that he is responsible for the club’s 13-match winless run, insisting he cannot be judged on results prior to his arrival.
This follows Magesi’s 2-0 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, a result that left the club rooted to the bottom of the table.
The loss marked their 11th defeat in the league, with their last victory coming against TS Galaxy in October. Overall, Magesi are now winless in 13 matches across all competitions, sitting on 14 points after 21 games.
Freese, who replaced John Maduka in a bid to halt the slide, made it clear he should only be assessed on the matches he has overseen.
“Wait, stop it. You’d better stop it. I’ve only been here for five games—don’t tell me about the others,” said Freese.
“Let’s get that out of the way first. You are talking to a different person. I don’t want to be funny with you, but this is the same question I was asked last week after the draw with Chippa United.
“They said 12 games—but which 12 games? When was I coaching Magesi in those matches? I’ve been in charge for five games—three draws and two losses. That’s where I stand.
“Don’t paint a picture of this coach based on results before I arrived. In football, yes, you will say Magesi have not won in 13 games—that is correct. But we must be specific. Don’t paint everyone with the same brush.
“Come to me directly and say, ‘You have lost so many games.’ Sorry for interrupting.”
Later in the press conference, Freese addressed the broader issue more calmly when asked whether the team is dealing with a mental block after failing to win since October.
“Can I answer that in this way? I’m trying to instill confidence to say, ‘In football, there is a win, and there is a loss. But you, as a player, personally or individually, have to help the team.
“Because when you play football, there are 11 players on the field. You can’t go and say, ‘I wasn’t there when we lost against Kaizer Chiefs. No, you were there, you are part of the team’.
“But my job is to help, give confidence, and take the team out of where we are at the moment.”
Magesi’s struggles continue to highlight a lack of confidence within the squad, as they search for a way to turn their season around.
