Maduka Under Pressure As Magesi Set Win-or-Go Clash Against Pirates

Sportswire has been informed that Magesi head coach John Maduka is under increasing pressure, with his future at the club hanging in the balance after one of his analysts was placed on special leave.

It is understood that Maduka has been given a clear mandate to secure a victory in the upcoming league match against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, failing which he could be dismissed.

Sportswire has learnt that this is a strategy of frustrating Maduka so that he can resign with immediate effect.

Magesi find themselves rooted to the bottom of the league table following Chippa United’s 1-0 win against Orbit College over the weekend — a result that allowed Chippa to move up the standings. But they have two games in hand, as they are yet to play this year.

The Limpopo-based side has managed just 11 points from 14 matches and is currently on a four-match winless run in the league. Their last victory came on 18 October, when they defeated TS Galaxy 2-1 at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Defensively, Magesi have struggled, sitting joint-third with Marumo Gallants among the teams that have conceded the most league goals this season, with 19 goals shipped so far.

Their home form has also been poor, ranking 12th in the league after winning just two of their five home matches. Away from home, Magesi are 13th, having lost three of their five away fixtures while drawing the remaining two.

In an effort to strengthen the squad, the club brought in Siyabonga Ndlozi and Sifiso Luthuli on loan from Orlando Pirates during the January transfer window.

Maduka was appointed head coach in July, replacing Owen da Gama, who parted ways with the club at the end of last season after failing to agree on new contract terms with the Limpopo outfit.