Owen Da Gamas plan for Magesi and managing the loaning of players

In their first season in top-flight football, Magesi have finished 12th on the log with 31 points from 28 matches. 

But now, Da Gama sees the importance of planning ahead for next season to address the issues facing their squad. The well-travelled coach says they have already started with their planning process, and now it’s just a matter of executing it. 

"I have already compiled a strategic list of prospective players we might acquire. We definitely need more leadership and more experience on the field going forward," highlighted Da Gama. 

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Another area Da Gama plans to address is the overreliance on loaned players. Their top goal scorer this season was Mncedi Vandala from Sekhukhune United, and they also had other players on loan, like Thabang Sibanyoni. The former Moroka Swallows striker says they have already identified players who are going out and also coming in. 

When Da Gama took over Magesi, they were at the bottom of the log, and he went about five matches before picking up his first win, which was a 2-0 victory at home against Cape Town City. The former national U23 men’s team head coach recalls how no one gave him a chance to survive with the team at the time. He also credits the hard work of the players.

"It looked impossible at first to a lot of people, but I always believed that there is always hope and possibility, and I think the thing that really helped us was uniting the team. Success always stems from the collective; all of us put our shoulders against the wagon and pushed as hard as we could," said the experienced mentor. 

It was the impressive home record at Seshego stadium that proved to be a masterstroke for “Dikwena Tsa Metsee,” as they won six matches there in the second round. They missed out on getting into the top eight by just two points, but Da Gama is still grateful for where the team finished the season.