Magesi FC calming nerves ahead of maiden top-flight cup final

Magesi will meet Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout final at Free State Stadium at 18:00 tomorrow, with Dikwena tša Meetse managing to reach this stage within their first three months since winning the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

But Larsen is not bothered by their inexperience, insisting they are handling the situation with the help of their senior players.

"When you talk about the mood, coming off a win [over Richards Bay] – even though there's been a two-week break, it always creates an air of positivity around the club," said Larsen.

"So that's been the case, after our win against Richards Bay, the spirit has been good, we've managed to rest the players a bit, and then focus on this week's preparations for Sundowns and looking at our match strategy.

"But, in terms of the mood, the players are very happy and look relaxed, even though there may be some nerves, some anxiousness, which is normal because 90 per cent of these boys have never played in a game of this magnitude.

So it's normal for there to be a bit of anxiety, but that's what we are here for as coaches and senior players as well, to calm them down and just get them to relax as much as possible, and enjoy the occasion."

With no less than 10 Sundowns players on international duty over the past two weeks, Larsen feels this will not affect their opponents as he confirms a full bill of health in his own camp.

"I disagree 1 000 per cent – Sundowns, for the last 10 years, have mastered the art of playing every three days, and they've been winning, so what's going to change this time around," he argued.

"We've got a full-strength team in my opinion, still maybe some fitness issues here and there – Sello Motsepe is out with a shoulder injury, which is long-term, but the rest of the players are available."

READ: Why Bartlett turned down co-coaching job in PSL