victors and vanquished: culmination of Carling Black Knockout Tournament
**Magesi Football Club Celebrate League Cup Victory
Magesi FC were crowned League Cup champions on Saturday, leaving everyone stunned following their 2-1 comeback victory over powerhouses Sundowns. The defending league champions had breezed their way to the final without allowing a single goal and were predicted to win, with bookies giving them an impressive 77% chance of success. But, as it turned out, Magesi had other ideas, clawing their way back for an unforgettable win.
Wager Now: Who Will Claim PSL Titles?
Magesi FC Unstoppable Force
Despite the surprise factor surrounding their triumph in the final, Magesi's unbeatable run was far from luck. At every hurdle, they silenced their doubters:
Could you outplay Orlando Pirates, three-time MTN8 Cup champions? No sweat. Could you best last season's finalists, TS Galaxy? No problem. Could you topple defending league champions Sundowns? Give them an early lead, and watch us work our magic.
This has been a fairy-tale journey with a fairy-tale ending.
Factoid 1: Magesi FC are the first promoted side in PSL history to win any domestic cup.
Clinton Larsen: Mastermind
Though Larsen stressed the importance of praising the team over individuals, there's no denying who's in the driver's seat. Two years ago, Magesi lingered in the relegation zone when Larsen took charge in the first division. Their meteoric rise from first-division strugglers to champions and now League Cup winners showcases an amazing transformation.
Factoid 2: This marks the second time Larsen has won a League Cup final against Sundowns (first in 2012 with his former club Celtic). He's one of only two PSL coaches to beat Sundowns twice in this competition's final after Paul Dolezar of Kaizer Chiefs in 1997 and 1998.
Elvis Chipezeze: Rock Solid
Although known for his antics, Chipezeze's goalkeeping and leadership are indispensable. No team in the league faces more shots per game than Magesi, and the 34-year-old's experience has been invaluable in crucial situations like protecting a lead against Sundowns' fearsome attack.
Factoid 4: Chipezeze earned the Man of the Match award in every competition match he played, making a clean sweep of four awards.
Edmore Chirambadare: Redemption Arc
Eight years after a botched stint at Kaizer Chiefs, Edmore Chirambadare is enjoying a comeback. His assist for the equalizer was pivotal in Magesi's remarkable turnaround.
Factoid 3: Chirambadare has been involved in more goals this season (3) than he managed in two seasons at Chiefs (2).
Fighting Spirit
Conceding the opening goal has become a pattern in cup finals, but it can often lead to victory:
Factoid 3: Teams that concede first have won the last three editions of this competition (2019, 2023, and now 2024).
The Fallen Stars
Sundowns' Finals Woes
For a team as dominant in the league as Sundowns, their cup final record is perplexing. Their cup struggles can be put into perspective considering they have reached more finals than any other PSL team. However, their win percentage remains disappointing (40%), having only claimed 10 victories from 25 finals.
Factoid 15: Sundowns have lost more PSL domestic finals than any other team.
Breakdown of Sundowns' Final Losses
Homegrown Cup Competitions
5x Top8 (BP/SAA/MTN8): most losses
Cup Finals
5x League Cup (Coke/Rothmans/TKO/CKO): shared record with Pirates
5x FA Cup (BobSave/ABSA/Nedbank Cups): most losses
Manqoba Mngqithi: Frustrated Coach
Losing to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final was disappointing but understandable. However, collapsing against a newly promoted side and conceding two goals from crosses (a recognized Magesi strength) was inexcusable. Sundowns have now suffered more domestic defeats this season (4) than they did in the entire previous season (2).
Factoid 0: Manqoba Mngqithi has never tasted victory against Clinton Larsen as a coach: P5 W0 D1 L4.
- Magesi FC's unbelievable 2-1 comeback victory over Sundowns in the League Cup final showcased their unbeatable form, leaving many stunned.
- Edmore Chirambadare, a former Kaizer Chiefs player, was instrumental in Magesi's equalizer, marking a significant comeback for him.
- Teams that concede the first goal in cup finals have won the last three editions of this competition, including Magesi's recent victory over Sundowns.
- Sundowns have lost more PSL domestic finals than any other team, including a record five League Cup finals, shared with Orlando Pirates.
