John Maduka challenges Magesi players to rise to the occasion

Dikwena ts Meetse begin their title defence away to AmaZulu on Sunday, no longer the unknown quantity they were a year ago when they stunned rivals by going all the way.

Maduka, the club’s third coach since promotion to the topflight, has faced a tough start to life in Limpopo.

Speaking ahead of the Durban clash, the 55-year-old said he expects his squad to embrace the spotlight and rise to the challenge of proving their cup triumph was no fluke.

"We are defending champs, when you are going to the game everyone knows that these are the ones who are keeping this trophy. So, that makes it very, very difficult, for us it's good that we are defending champions, we have to prepare very, very well,” Maduka said.

“We have to be ready, it's not gonna be easy, if we want to be able to retain this, we have to start from game one and game one is against AmaZulu and from there we take it one game at a time. 

“So, it's not gonna be an easy road because when you are a champion, everyone prepares well when they are playing against the champion. So, this one we know that it's going to be a very, very difficult one. 

“The pressure will always be there in football, it doesn't matter if it is a friendly or what, the pressure sometimes helps you do the right things. The pressure helps you to work even more harder. 

“So the pressure is there, we must be able to know how to handle the pressure and for us to handle the pressure we must prepare, be ready for the game, know that's not going to be easy then we can be able to handle that."

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Not only is Maduka hoping to progress in the cup, but the coach is desperate for a win that will galvanise Magesi in the Betway Premiership where they are struggling for points. 

“Absolutely right, I mean this cup game can give us confidence in the league like you said. There are so many games that we have been unlucky in the league, not winning them but you know, after a good performance, this can also help us,” the coach added.

“Each and every game that we play helps give confidence to the players, start believing in themselves that they can be able to win the match, so this one helps a lot. 

“For us to be able to win, if we go out there, we win the game against AmaZulu, it gives us confidence going to the league games, so that we can also start getting those points that we need."