Troubled Magosi seek FA Cup redemption
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Saturday February 18, 2023 06:00
The match comes in the wake of a tumultuous week that saw head coach, Daniel Nare being escorted off the pitch away from some section of unruly supporters.
Nare joined Chiefs in December and after barely three months on the job, a section of supporters has already called for his sacking. The 2-1 defeat to Union Flamengo Santos at River Plate Ground triggered some wayward behaviour from some supporters with some hurling insults at the former Morupule Wanderers mentor.
The Chiefs’ management has since thrown its weight behind the under pressure coach and promised to take appropriate action against those who caused chaos last Saturday.
The players have reportedly thrown their weight behind Nare with captain, Khumoetsile Kufigwa saying the players take responsibility for the loss against Santos. “As players, we are to blame for the loss because the chances that we created in that match were enough to win if we utilised them.
I urge all our supporters to rally behind us and come and witness a different Chiefs on Saturday,” Kufigwa said in an interview on Magosi’s social media page. Tomorrow’s match will see the two sides renew their rivalry, which made the Debswana First Division South league interesting last season. The last time the two sides met, Chiefs came out tops and secured a win in Mmopane but Holy Ghost had the last laugh at the end of the season, finishing top and automatically securing a spot in the Premier League.
A lot has changed since then not only on the technical bench but also on the playing personnel. During the January transfer window, Chiefs released at least 10 players with many new players coming in.
Kufigwa, who was on the score sheet the last time the two sides met, will once again lead from the front. Holy Ghost have also bolstered their squad recently after finding the going tough in the first half of their maiden Premier League season. However, they have lost head coach, Botshelo Pelokgosi who has since joined Jwaneng Galaxy women’s side.
Against Magosi, Holy Ghost will be under the tutelage of Daniel Jim who is holding fort on an interim basis. The Premier League rookies will rely on the experience of new signings, Misani Thupa upfront as well as goalkeeper, Katlego Mbise. Another interesting fixture billed for this Sunday is between high-flying First Division side, Matebele who host Tlokweng United at the Nest Ground.
Matebele are currently sitting in position two on the log and should go into this fixture as favourites but are very aware of the dangers of facing underdogs in a knockout competition. Tomorrow, the VTM Arena will be the battleground for VTM and Matebejana in a game that also promises to be a cracker.