Solly Makhubela 

Chairman of newly promoted side Magesi FC, Solly Makhubela, has opened up on what it took to finally secure promotion to the DStv Premiership. 

Magesi FC - Figure 1
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The Limpopo club confirmed their status in the elite league following a 3-1 win over Milford FC at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Magesi’s close competitors, the University of Pretoria, were held to a 2-2 draw by Black Leopards in Thohoyandou on the same day. The results mean Magesi is now on 55 points, eight more than AmaTuks, with two matches remaining. 

The 2023/24 season was Magesi’s second in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after their promotion from the SAFA ABC Motsepe League. Speaking to the media after the confirmation of their promotion, Makhubela credited his management and technical team, whom he says have given them full powers to run the team. 

SOLLY MAKHUBELA GIVES CREDIT TO HIS MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL TEAM 

“It’s not about me, remember I am not full-time in the team,” he told journalists. 

Magesi FC - Figure 2
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Magesi boss Solly Makhubela

“It’s just about the management and the coach who are working together. I am just a chairman, but I am taking the instructions from them, to be honest.

“I listen to them and where I need to suggest I do so, but the final decision comes from the management and the coach. Not just me,” he explained. 

“The mandate I gave to them, not only the coach but also the management. The coach works together with the management. So when I gave the mandate it’s to both the two. We have also added a technical director, Peter [Koutroulis], to work with the coach. The mandate was for them to win the league via straight promotion, not the playoffs.”

WILL MAGESI FC STICK WITH COACH CLINTON LARSEN FOLLOWING THEIR PROMOTION? 

Makhubela was also asked if the club will continue with Clinton Larsen as it has been a trend that newly promoted teams change their coaches once they get promoted. 

“As I have indicated, I am not the one who makes those decisions. That will be based on the management and the technical [team]. They need to decide whether they are adding [technical team members] or not.

“We will have to sit with the team. But whatever we come up with will be positive. Remember, they also need to direct me.”

RELATED STORY: Magesi FC clinch promotion to the DStv Premiership