Magesi chasing record fourth straight win against Galaxy

Magesi head coach Owen Da Gama has called for another big collective effort from his team when they host TS Galaxy at the Seshego Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Da Gama has revived Dikwena tsa Meetse's fortunes since replacing Clinton Larsen at the helm in late December, although his tenure got off to a bumpy start initially.

The Limpopo outfit were rooted to the foot of the Betway Premiership table when he took over the reins, having won just one of their opening 14 matches.

Da Gama only managed to pick up two points from his first five games in charge, starting with a 0-0 draw against Galaxy in Mbombela on 4 January.

However, Magesi have won six of their next nine league encounters and a 1-0 triumph over Stellenbosch on 29 March lifted them up to 11th place, three points clear of the promotion/relegation berth.

It was the Carling Knockout champions' third 1-0 victory on the trot, a historic feat for the club in their debut season in the top flight, while they've only conceded one goal in their last five outings.

The Rockets are making a late push for CAF football on the back of an impressive run under Adnan Beganovic, who has only suffered three defeats since succeeding Sead Ramovic as head coach in November.

Beganovic went unbeaten in his first 11 matches before the Maroons halted that fine streak and Galaxy have only lost one of their last five games, collecting eight points in the process.

A 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs on 5 April kept their top-three hopes alive, with just two points separating Galaxy (5th) and Stellies in third position.

WHAT WAS SAID

Magesi head coach Owen Da Gama

"We've really been working hard, you know the limitations you have and where it comes from, and getting out there from the bottom is like the load of the PSL is on top of you, every team just wants to trample on you.

"I spoke to the players and I said, 'Guys, there's only one way out now, it's hard work'. I'm telling you, there might be teams that are far better than us, but there are very few that work as hard as what we work.

"We really work hard at Magesi. I think my strength is working as a collective, not me per se, but everybody puts in their bit and contributes and I think that is the strength at Magesi – the collective effort."

TS Galaxy head coach Adnan Beganovic

"I made it my challenge, to first make sure that we survive relegation by pushing to climb up the table and when we climbed up in my first five games, I said 'that was not enough, now I want to fight for a top-eight spot' because I saw the team's quality and strength.

"After 13 or 14 games unbeaten, I said 'now we have to change our goal to something a little bit bigger'. Our dream now is to qualify for CAF football and we will push for that until the very end."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Magesi - Mcedi Vandala has made a huge impact following his return to the club in January after initially being sold to Sekhukhune United six months earlier.

The 30-year-old winger scored three goals in his first eight appearances and has started all but the last two matches against Golden Arrows and Stellenbosch, coming off the bench on both occasions.

TS Galaxy - Dzenan Zajmovic settled in quickly in his new surroundings after making the switch from Radnik in September 2024, scoring in his second appearance against Chippa United.

The 30-year-old Bosnian striker has never gone more than three games without scoring in the league and he sits third on the charts with eight goals, one behind Iqraam Rayners, although he has some work to do to catch Lucas Ribeiro, who has 13 to his name.

Head-to-Head: (Last Five Betway Premiership Meetings)

Matches - 1

Magesi wins - 0

Galaxy wins - 0

Draws - 1