Tholang Masegela of Magesi is challenges Kyle Jurgens of Durban City during Betway Premiership clash at Seshego Stadium on Sunday in Seshego. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Magesi delivered a morale-boosting victory in a rain-soaked Seshego Stadium on Sunday, overpowering Durban City 5-2 in a chaotic, high-stakes encounter that in the Betway Premiership, which carried major implications at both ends of the table.
A slick surface added to the visitors’ discomfort, as Durban’s defence struggled to settle under early, aggressive pressure. With relegation woes mounting, the hosts came out firing. Forward Sifiso Luthuli was at the heart of Magesi’s early intent, testing Durban goalkeeper Darren Keet within minutes.
The breakthrough came via Mcedi Vandala, who capitalised on a defensive lapse from a corner in the eighth minute. His movement was electric, darting across the pitch and combining in a quick one-two, before slicing through the box and finishing clinically. It was his third goal of the season and a sign of things to come.
Durban City responded almost immediately. Jean Lubumba, the Congolese forward, latched onto a pinpoint diagonal from Samkelo Maseko and calmly slotted home the equaliser.
However, Magesi quickly reasserted control, netting twice in quick succession to surge into a 3-1 lead. Lubumba refused to let Durban fade, however, grabbing his second to reduce the deficit to 3-2 around the half-hour mark.
The game grew increasingly intense, with the Citizens pushing hard. By half-time, momentum had shifted slightly toward the visitors, who dominated possession in search of a second equaliser.
The second half initially lacked the same urgency, but that changed in the 64th minute when Kgothatso Mariba unleashed a stunning strike to restore Magesi’s two-goal advantage. That blow visibly deflated City, whose energy and cohesion dipped sharply.
Vandala then put them out of their misery in the 79th minute, punishing a disorganised City backlin, that allowed him to glide through unchallenged to score his brace. It was a commanding win for Magesi, who combined urgency with clinical finishing, while City’s early promise ultimately dissolved into a worrying defensive collapse and three straight losses.
This result leaves Durban City desperate to find form to secure a Top 8 finish. They cling to sixth in the standings with Polokwane City, Golden Arrows and Stellenbosch within touching distance. Dikwena, meanwhile, lifted themselves to 14th, just outside of the PSL promotion/relegation play-off spot.
Jehran Naidoo is sports reporter for Independent Media and social media coordinator of the our YouTube channel The Clutch.