Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi says they have their work cut out against Magesi who he has praised for being defensively and offensively sound by its coach Clinton Larsen. 

Mngqithi made these comments following a 2-0 victory against Marumo Gallants in the semi-final of the Carling Knockout at Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday, and they will now face Magesi in the final of this competition on 23 November at Toyota Stadium. 

Magesi reached the final after they defeated the KZN-based side Richards Bay 1-0 on Saturday at King Zwelithini Stadium. 

Mngqithi believes that Magesi is a strong team and they’ve done a great job in terms of recruitment this season. “It’s a complicated team and Clinton is one of those coaches that are resolute in their defensive actions and he is got some interesting players offensively,” Mngqithi said on SuperSport TV. 

“They are a very strong team. I must commend what those Limpopo teams have done in terms of recruitment. I think they have got a very formidable team and this is for me very interesting because it makes the competition in the PSL so fierce. With the support Marumo is getting from here, it makes it very interesting in the PSL because nobody knows which match is going to win, nobody knows which match is going to lose.” 

In the final, Magesi will be facing Sundowns this season for the first time, having played against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. 

Larsen’s side beat Pirates 3-2 in the Last 16 of the Carling Knockout and also played a 2-2 draw against Chiefs in the Betway Premiership. 

Meanwhile, Mngqithi also shared his views about their game against Gallants on Sunday. The former Lamontville Golden Arrows coach said he is happy for the two goals but they could have scored many goals if they didn’t play with their chances. 

“Not score in the first half, but if we get a chance to score second half we’ll score second half. Second half I think we played a little bit more intensity and more desired offensive threat,” he said.

“I’m happy we managed to get two goals but I still believe there could have been more, because I think we wasted a lot of opportunities in the final third.”