‘Everyone knows Magesi are keeping Carling Knockout’ -Maduka

South Africa’s Magesi FC coach John Maduka has explained why their quest for the Carling Knockout Cup defence might not be straight forward.

Dikwena Tša Meetse opened their title defence with a 3-2 victory over AmaZulu FC on Sunday in a round-of-16 match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

🏆CARLING BLACK LABEL KNOCKOUT🏆

As the defending champions of 2024 Carling, Dikwena tsa Meetse look forward to eliminating Usuthu in the first round and protect the throne.

🆚: @amazulu_fc
📅: Sunday, 5 October 2025
🏟️: Moses Mabhida Stadium
⏰: 18:00#dikwenatsameetse… pic.twitter.com/rJjw9sNuAR

— Magesi Football Club (@Magesi_FC) September 30, 2025

Ahead of the quarterfinal challenges, Maduka identified why their quest to defend the cup would be tough.

“We are the defending champs; when you are going to the game, everyone knows that these are the ones who are keeping this trophy. So, that makes it very, very difficult,” Maduka told his club’s media.

“So, it’s not going to be an easy road because when you are a champion, everyone prepares well when they are playing against the champion. So, this one we know that it’s going to be a very, very difficult one.”

Why Magesi FC have mountain to climb in Carling Knockout cup

Magesi have a mountain to climb to match the feat of last season when they stunned overwhelming favourites Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 to win the cup. Then Clinton Larsen-led team become the first-ever newly promoted side to win the League Cup in the Premier Soccer League era.

However, Larsen did not last long on the job as Magesi failed to replicate their cup exploits into the Betway Premiership. Owen Da Gama was hired to steady the ship and he did. Somehow, Da Gama was also axed in the pre-season with Maduka brought in charge.

The start to the season has been slow for the Malawian coach in the Betway Premiership. However, Magesi have of late shown signs of recovering evidenced by their victory over AmaZulu over the weekend. The minnows now date Orlando Pirates in the last-eight stage.