Larsen’s Magesi Cup Run Echoes Celtic’s Historic Campaign Of 12 Years Ago

Magesi’s remarkable run to the Carling Knockout Cup final has drawn parallels to Clinton Larsen’s successful campaign with Bloemfontein Celtic in the 2012/13 season.
Just like Celtic, Magesi has had to overcome tough challenges on the road, including victories over Orlando Pirates, TS Galaxy, and Richards Bay.
Their Carling Knockout Cup showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns at Toyota Stadium, the venue Larsen knows so well, on 23 November brings back memories of Larsen’s time with Celtic, where they faced similar opponents in the latter stages of the competition.
When Larsen won this competition it was known as the Telkom Knockout with Celtic, and two of the three matches Siwelele played towards the final were away.
Celtic first defeated Chippa United 2-1 at Philippi Stadium with goals by Dominic Isaacs and Jacky Motshegwa in the round of 16.
In the quarter final, they overcame Pirates at Toyota Stadium via penalty shootouts.
In the semifinals, it was a Free State Derby as Celtic took a short trip to face Free State Stars at Charles Mopeli Stadium in Phuthaditjhaba and won that game by 3-2.
They won the competition with a controversial goal scored by Joel Mogorotsi against Sundowns at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, with then Celtic chairman Jimmy Augousti running the length of the pitch to celebrate the triumph after the final whistle by referee Lwandile Mfiki.
That match also proved to be the last for Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens, who has since passed away.
“It hasn’t been an easy road to the final,” reflected Larsen.
“In some ways, it reminds me of our 2012 win with Bloemfontein Celtic where Pirates in the quarters, we went away with Free State Stars, and Sundowns in the final.
“So, it’s similar run of games, quality oppositions right through. But like I keep saying, there are two things that got us to this point – the one thing is the fighting spirit like I just mentioned.
“The second part, which is my job, is to get this team organised and the players have bought in the way I want them to defend, unbelievable pressing for 90 minutes.
“I thought Tshepo Mashigo, Wonderboy Makhubu, Edmore Chirambandare, Deolin Mekoa, and Tshepo Kakora, put in an unbelievable effort which those are attacking players, I’m talking about the defensive effort.
“Often the coaches complain the attacking players don’t defend, I can’t complain about that. I’m very blessed to have players with such great attitude when they don’t have the ball and I think that’s got us to where we are.
“So, credit to the players for that.”
Larsen’s Celtic also halted Sundowns’ title charge by hammering them 5-0 in the league match in the 2014/15 season, which ended their league title chase and handed the momentum to Kaizer Chiefs at the time to win the title.
Celtic was a difficult side to beat under Larsen and this Magesi, which gained the promotion last season, appear to have adopted the same approach.
“Slowly but surely, we are changing people’s minds that we are not that easy team to beat,” added Larsen.
“Maybe they were comparing us to Cape Town Spurs (that was relegated after one season in the top flight) and maybe that is the reason why people thought that way.
“But like I said, it is my job to try and get this team as organised as possible, to make them difficult as possible.
“I think we are on the right track in achieving that.”