The revival of Malawi defender Limbikani Mzava is a testament to his resilience and dedication. After a two-year period without a club, the 31-year-old is now set to play in a cup final with Magesi FC.

Mzava, who has been in South Africa since 2011, has been a key figure for Clinton Larsen’s Magesi side, who will face Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout Cup final at Toyota Stadium on Saturday.

He joined Magesi at the start of the season after a challenging period without a salary following his release from AmaZulu at the end of the 2021/22 season. His last PSL match was in April 2022 when AmaZulu defeated Baroka.

Despite the setbacks, Mzava remained determined. He tried his luck at several clubs, including SuperSport United, Cape Town City, and Cape Town Spurs, but was unsuccessful in securing a contract.

“Only my coach, Clinton Larsen, believed in me,” Mzava told Sportswire. “He encouraged me to keep training and promised to give me an opportunity if I was still around when Magesi got promoted.

“I think the issue with other clubs was my salary expectations. They might have thought I was overvalued or finished, but I knew I still had something to offer.”

This is the third time Mzava has worked with Larsen, having previously collaborated at Bloemfontein Celtic and Golden Arrows. Interestingly, he provided the assist for Celtic’s goal against Sundowns in the 2012/13 Telkom Knockout final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

“I kept myself fit by training regularly and playing friendly matches,” Mzava said. “Larsen has always believed in me, and he understood the circumstances of my release from AmaZulu.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to face Sundowns again. It’s a chance for me and Larsen to create another special moment, especially in Bloemfontein, which feels like a second home to me. We’re ready to give it our all and show what we can do.”

Mzava is eager to relive the magic of 1 December 2012 by winning this competition, in a different guise now. That goal that won the cup for Celtic is still debatable as former Sundowns defender Clayton Daniels hooked the ball away and it is not clear whether the entire ball circumference had crossed the line or not.

“It didn’t touch the net but it was a goal,” Mzava laughed. 

He added: “Me and Larsen it is a second chance to do something again against Sundowns. 

“I know that I’m in a different club now, I’m no longer with Celtic – I’m with Magesi and we are meeting Sundowns again.  

“So, it is another chance for me and the coach to win because Bloemfontein (where the final will take place) is my second home and I know we will have a lot of supporters supporting us there. 

“I can’t wait for Saturday to come so that we can show up. But it is good sometime to play with a team like Sundowns who have good quality players.”

Robin-Duke is in Bloemfontein courtesy of Primo Sports