The team's resilience will be tested, especially after experiencing their first defeat since lifting the Carling Knockout. In their most recent match, Magesi was on the receiving end of a 2-0 loss to Chippa United, a result that has placed their league campaign under scrutiny.
Read: Chiefs Coach: They Will Make Some Mistakes
Despite the setback, the mood at the club remains focused, with assistant coach Papi Zothwane stressing the importance of quickly regrouping and refocusing on their league objectives. The team, having never won a major cup before, is now faced with the pressure of balancing cup glory with their ambitions in the league. With the spotlight firmly on them, the challenge will be to ensure they avoid any complacency following their cup success.
"I think the main focus for the players, even before the start of the league, was that they cannot compete in this cup if they are not in the league. So, if they have the hunger, they have to want it more. If you tasted winning the cup, can you imagine moving forward how much they would always like to win cups? It's more about the mentality," Zothwane told journalists.
"It's on us as coaches to get even deeper in the mental side because some of the players get shortsighted with this success and get carried away in cup matches because some of them would fake injuries, some of their performances would drop. So, it goes with the level of professionalism from the players and how much they want to be here. Because if you have tasted being in the Premier League, you'd never want to go to the First Division - that's how much it must mean to them.
Read: Former Sundowns Winger Surfaces At Pirates
"We'll work on their psychological part because I think the league is the most important thing because we can't be a team that has just won the cup and then get relegated. It's not a nice thing. So, we'll work extremely hard, if it means bringing in more players in January. We know what it means to be in this league, the players are the ones who mostly must carry this team."
As Magesi aim to navigate this tricky period, it will be crucial for the players and coaching staff to stay grounded and avoid getting caught up in the euphoria of their Carling Knockout success. The goal is clear—keep the momentum rolling in the league and ensure that the cup victory is not a fleeting moment of glory but a stepping stone towards greater achievements.
