Coach Brandon Truter puts his Richards Bay players through their paces during training at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex yesterday. Photo: BackpagePix
Richards Bay coach Brandon Truter has tagged newly promoted Magesi FC as the favourites ahead of their clash in the semi-final of the Carling Knockout Cup.
The Natal Rich Boyz are putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the clash with Dikwena tsa Meetse at the King Zwelithini Stadium in uMlazi on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
The winners of this match will face either Mamelodi Sundowns or Marumo Gallants in the final after the latter two teams resolve their joust on Sunday.
Richards Bay have made an underwhelming start to the 2024/25 season, having won just a single league game in seven so far.
However, their run in the league cup has been the only bright spark, and they are determined to keep that running against Magesi.
Being in their third season in the top-flight, having also received a new R100 million sponsor – which they already invested into new players – many may tip the Natal Rich Boyz as the favourites to go one better than their semi-final exit last season.
However, Truter has waved away those suggestions, claiming that Magesi’s results against the likes of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have made them the team to look out for this weekend.
“I think Magesi are favourites, with beating Pirates and with getting a positive result against Chiefs as well,” he said on Thursday.
“Clinton (Larsen, Magesi coach) has done an amazing job by promoting them and getting them to sort of punch above their weight.
“But they showed it after the Pirates game that it wasn’t a fluke as well. They have the results at the moment, and I think that’s makes them favourites for this encounter.”
After losing their first two matches of the season, Magesi have not suffered a loss in their last six matches in all competitions, winning and drawing three apiece.
The Limpopo-based outfit are led by one of the most experienced mentors in South Africa football, with Larsen as their head coach. The 53-year-old won this competition under its previous sponsors with the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtic.
Expecting a tough tactical battle, Truter relished the opportunity to duel with one of his role models.
“Clinton was always one I looked up to as a coach coming into the system. He also represents KZN as a local coach, so he will want to come here and pull one over us as well,” he said.
“His team has reflected his experience with the organisation and structure, and they play from there.
“I hope we can sort out our lack of goals at the weekend because if we score early, then they have to open up – and that compromises their structure and solidity at the back.”
As the clock ticks down to a first ever meeting between these two clubs, both teams will be eager to seize the moment, with the stakes high.