Owen Da Gama revels in secret behind Magesi winning streak

The Limpopo outfit secured their fourth Betway Premiership victory in five matches by narrowly defeating Stellenbosch FC 1-0 on Saturday night. 

It’s a win that now gives Da Gama’s side hope of even breaking into the top eight bracket, after months at the foot of the table prior to his arrival, and he detailed how they overcame hardship.

"We've really been working hard, you know the limitations you have and where it comes from, and getting out there from the bottom is like the load of the PSL is on top of you, every team just wants to trample on you," said Da Gama.

"I spoke to the players and I said, 'Guys, there's only one way out now, it's hard work.' I'm telling you, there might be teams that are far better than us, but there are very few that work as hard as what we work.

"We really work hard, and the boys put it in, and at Magesi, I think my strength is working as a collective, not me per se, but everybody puts in their bit and contributes, and I think that is the strength at Magesi – the collective effort."

Stellies did get the better of Magesi in the corresponding fixture early last month, but Da Gama argues that their progress since then has been magnificent. 

"We were still finding our feet [at that time], and it was not a big loss against them, but we were still finding our feet and you can't take anything away from Stellenbosch – they are a superb team," he added.

"The speed in that team is just unbelievable, and we had to work on how we cover a team that has pacy players like [Devin] Titus, [Ashley] Cupido, three quarters of these players are absolutely quick.

"And we had to play with cover, so we just – I can't talk about tactics, it sounds a bit arrogant, but I just think we got it right to make sure their quick players don;' have enough space behind our defence."

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