Magesi coach Clinton Larsen says their final game of the Carling Knockout against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday was a tough one compared to the one he played in 2012 against the Tshwane giants. 

Dikwena Tsa Meetse beat Sundowns 2-1 in the final of the Carling Knockout at Toyota Stadium on Saturday, providing Larsen’s second triumph having started his coaching in the 2003/04 season with Durban Stars in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. 

In 2012, Larsen won this competition with Bloemfontein Celtic beating Sundowns 1-0 in the final. The former Celtic coach believes that this time Sundowns was stronger than 2012 and it was like they were playing against Bafana Bafana on Saturday. Tshepo Kakora and Delano Abrahams scored the two goals for Larsen’s side on Saturday. 

“I think this one was a lot more difficult [compared to the one of 2012] even though they had players like Hlompho Kekana and Khama Billiat,” Larsen said. 

“We were playing against the national team. This felt like playing against Bafana Bafana, you know six of these players started for Bafana last time [against South Sudan] and few on the bench. 

 “So, that was so much quality and I thought also I had so much quality and experience in that Celtic team in 2012. This group has six of my starters that has played games in the PSL before. So, in terms of the collective experience, we are very low in that department and I think that writing out there is my best achievement as a coach. 

“21 years of coaching, I started in 2003/04 season in Durban in the NFD with Durban Stars. It’s been a long while and I’ve already been in two Cup finals and that tells you how it difficult is to reach the Cup finals. But I’m happy I’ve been in two and won two Cup finals, that’s a 100% record.” 

 Magesi became the first team in the history of PSL to win a cup in their first season coming from the first division. 

Dikwena Tsa Meetse will now visit the Gqeberha-based side Chippa United in the league game at Buffalo City Municipality Stadium on Saturday.