PSL
PSL TRANSFER FOCUS: MAGESI FC
Following their remarkable debut campaign in the Betway Premiership, Magesi FC has announced the departure of their coach Owen da Gama, and the release of ten first-team players, creating a significant opportunity for clubs seeking top-flight experience.
The club completed an extraordinary maiden season in the top flight of South African football, not only securing their status for another season but also achieving the unthinkable by winning the 2024 Carling Knockout Cup against league champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
They finished their inaugural top-flight campaign in a respectable 13th position, accumulating 32 points from 28 matches after earning promotion from the Motsepe Foundation Championship in 2023/24. This achievement came despite a challenging season that saw them change coaches from Clinton Larsen to Owen Da Gama, who has now also moved on after the club confirmed his exit
Da Gama’s escape effort
Owen da Gama was responsible for steering Magesi away from what looked like certain relegation/ The trendline below shows how their points total (bold) was in relegation territory (below the red line) for most of the season. However, after a few months and solid home form, both their Expected Points (dotted line) and actual points turned upwards. Da Gama’s amazing work was confirmed when he won the Coach of the Month award for March.
Reports suggest that Da Gama and the club couldn’t agree on new contract terms, despite the fact that rumours that he would be extending circulated a few weeks ago. It will be interesting to see how the club manages “second-season syndrome” without him in the top-flight in 2025/26.
Star Names Among the Departures
The ten released players include several notable figures who contributed to Magesi’s historic journey. Among the most prominent names are Gift Motupa and Neverdie Makhubela, both former Orlando Pirates players who bring considerable PSL experience to the transfer market.
Magesi FC’s decision to release ten players reveals a calculated strategy focused on youth and regular contributors rather than sentimental attachment to their historic cup triumph. The statistics tell a compelling story: eight of the ten released players are over 30 years old, with the majority having minimal impact during the club’s debut Premier League campaign. Veterans like 37-year-old Rhulani Manzini managed just one start from 12 appearances. At the same time, experienced campaigners Maboke Matlakala (35) and Amos Mokwena (26) failed to register a single league appearance despite being part of the squad. Even former Orlando Pirates duo Gift Motupa and Neverdie Makhubela, despite their pedigree, combined for just two starts from 6 and 11 appearances.
The visual shows how many of the older players were barely used in the last season. For example, Rhulani Manzini is over 35 years old and played less than 10% of available minutes. The ruthless nature of this clear-out suggests Magesi’s management recognises that Cup glory alone doesn’t guarantee league success, and they may be prioritising players who can contribute consistently across a 30-game season. The final piece of the jigsaw will be set when we find out who the players recruited will be.
Released Players
- Gift Motupa (30): 6 / 2
- Neverdie Makhubela (31): 11 / 0
- Deolin Mekoa (31): 18 / 15
- Rhulani Manzini (37): 12 / 1
- Amos Mokwena (26): 0 / 0
- Boikanyo Komane (32): 7 / 3
- Maboke Matlakala (35): 0 / 0
- Anathi Ngwadla (23): 2 / 2
- Given Mashikinya (34): 5 / 3
- Menzi Ndwandwe (27): 2 / 0