Freese Refuses To Yield In PSL Promotion Playoff Race
Magesi coach Allan Freese remains confident that his side can still secure promotion back to the Betway Premiership despite suffering a heartbreaking setback in the PSL Promotion Playoffs, insisting there is still plenty to play for with two matches remaining.
Dikwena Tsa Meetse suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Milford on Wednesday after conceding a late goal in a match they appeared destined to take at least a point from.
It was Magesi’s second match of the playoffs, having opened their campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory over Cape Town City.
The result saw the KwaZulu-Natal-based Stallions strengthen their grip on top spot in the mini-league standings with six points from two matches, having also beaten Cape Town City earlier in the playoffs. Magesi currently sit second on three points, while Cape Town City remain without a point.
The Limpopo outfit is hoping to make an immediate return to the Betway Premiership after enduring a difficult second season in the top flight, which ended with a 15th-place finish and a place in the promotion playoffs.
Despite the painful nature of the defeat, Freese urged his players not to lose belief, stressing that the race for promotion is far from over.
“Well, as I said, I’m very disappointed that we lost at such a crucial moment of the game, when we needed to stay calm and defend properly,” said Freese.
“So, yes, it is disappointing to lose at such a crucial stage of the match. But what do we do? We have to keep encouraging the players and make sure we don’t repeat the same mistakes.
“The next thing is that we have to stay calm and continue motivating the players because there is still a lot to play for.
“There are still six points up for grabs, and there’s nothing impossible about that. We’ll keep encouraging the boys and reminding them that there are six points still to play for, so we shouldn’t lose hope now.”
Freese also identified what he believed was the decisive factor behind his side’s defeat, saying their failure to defend properly in the closing stages ultimately cost them the match.
“I think, technically, the only thing that went wrong was that we did not defend the goal properly,” he added.
“So we’re going to look at that and see where we can improve.”
The 2024 Carling Knockout champions now turn their attention to a crucial clash against Cape Town City in Cape Town next Wednesday, a match that could significantly boost their promotion hopes.
Magesi will then conclude their playoff campaign with a return fixture against Milford at Seshego Stadium next weekend as they continue their push to reclaim their place in South Africa’s top flight.
