Magesi FC are through to the Carling Knockout final after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Saturday afternoon.

Man of the Match Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze put up another brilliant display in goal and bagged himself the third Man of the Match award in a row. This is the first time the Limpopo-based club reached a major cup final and they will have to face either Mamelodi Sundowns or Marumo Gallants at the Toyota Stadium on 23 November to win the title.

Richards Bay’s Tlakusani Mthethwa, Sommila Ntsundwana and Yanela Mbuthuma all made runs at goal, but captain Chipezeze kept them all out. The visitors took the lead against the run of play in the 27th minute with a goal by Tshepo Mashigo.

After the match, Chipezeze told SABC Sport that he plays for Magesi’s loyal fans. “I just want to make them happy. When they are happy, I am happy. They use their hearts and money to come and watch us play,” he said.

The Natal Rich Boys bowed out of the Carling Knockout semifinals for the second year running and will now turn their attention to their Betway Premiership clash against Kaizer Chiefs on 27 November.

Sundowns, the four-time winners of this cup, will be favourites to beat Gallants at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Free State on Sunday.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger