The lower league side from Polokwane booked their place in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup with a 2-1 win over EC Bees. They are the only ABC Motsepe side remaining in this season’s competition.
Bidvest Wits beat fellow Absa Premiership side Bloemfontein Celtic to advance in the Cup competition and will be eager to brush past Magesi as they continue their chase for league honours.
Formerly knows as Peace Lovers FC, Magesi last competed in the 2013 Nedbank Cup and were eliminated in the round of 32 by Jomo Cosmos.
Magesi CEO Solly Makhubela has warned the Clever Boys to underestimate their opponents at their own peril.
“We knew that we were going to get a big team,” said Makhubela. “Bidvest Wits have been performing really well: they are sitting in second place on the Absa Premiership standings.
“Our boys are ready, Wits will get a surprise. This will be a tough game for them.
The side are coached by former AmaZulu striker and 2003/04 Premier Soccer League top scorer Jackie Ledwaba. Makhubela as praised his influence:
“All of our players are from surrounding villages, the coach has worked hard and has developed the players. We have a good team.”
Wits, who have won the Nedbank Cup on two previous occasions, exited last season’s competition at the quarterfinal stage, losing 2-1 to eventual runners-up Ajax Cape Town.
Bidvest Wits assistant coach Paul Johnstone has reiterated that the Premiership club will not underestimate their opponents.
“You know for sure that Magesi are going to go after this match like their lives depend on it,” Johnstone is quoted as saying. “They are going to play out of their skins and they are going to have enough energy to last them three days.
“Magesi are most definitely going to give us a tough time, and we are by no means going there and expecting an easy game.”
This will be the first competitive match between the two sides.
Other Nedbank Cup fixtures:
| Saturday, April 02, 2016 | ||||||
| 15:00 | Platinum Stars | v | Polokwane City | Royal Bafokeng Stadium | ||
| 15:00 | Black Aces | v | Maritzburg Utd | Kanyamazane Stadium | ||
| 20:15 | Mamelodi Sundowns | v | Mbombela United | Lucas Moripe Stadium | ||
| 20:15 | Santos | v | Free State Stars | Athlone Stadium | ||
|
Sunday, April 03, 2016 |
||||||
| 15:00 | Jomo Cosmos | v | Orlando Pirates | Olen Park Stadium | ||
| 15:00 | Golden Arrows | v | Baroka FC | Chatsworth Stadium | ||
|
Tuesday, April 05, 2016 |
||||||
| 19:30 | SuperSport United | v | University of Pretoria | Lucas Moripe Stadium | ||
