Clinton Larsen: April decisive in Motsepe Foundation Championship race

By Chad Klate
2nd April 2024

Magesi FC coach Clinton Larsen believes April will be decisive for his charges if they are to retain their hopes of clinching promotion to the DStv Premiership.

Dikwena tša Meetse, translated to 'Water Crocodiles' from Xitsonga, are currently top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship table by one point, with nine matches left in the season.

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They face Pretoria Callies this afternoon before meeting third-placed Orbit College and second-placed University of Pretoria a fortnight later, with Larsen fully aware of the mammoth task that lies ahead for the Limpopo-based outfit.

''In our first of 4 or 5 games in the month of April, we will be playing against both Tuks and Orbit. So it is a crucial month to maintain our form and make sure that the 6 points are won by us,'' said Larsen.

Magesi were bundled out of the Nedbank Cup preliminary round by Callies, with Orbit having suffered the same fate, last year, while AmaTuks remain in the hunt with a huge quarter-final showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns next week.

The former Bloemfontein Celtic mentor covertly hopes the Tshwane derby would serve as a distraction for their nearest rivals prior to their meeting on 20 April.

''Sometimes everybody asks if it is wise to pursue on both fronts. But their coach says he feels they have got the depth and the necessary personnel to deal with both competitions, we just hope they will be tired by the time they face us,'' added Larsen.

Having been on the professional coaching scene for over two decades with various teams in the two PSL divisions, Larsen reckons results among the top three in April could ultimately decide who earns automatic promotion.

''If you look at the fixtures, there are no easy games. So I think the team will show consistency in the month of April, it will be the team that will put its best foot forward,'' he concluded.

The 53-year-old, who has been plying his trade in the lower division with Polokwane City, Summerfield Dynamos and now Magesi over the past five years, since being sacked at Chippa United in 2019, says he is not driven by a personal obsession to coach in the top flight.