Magesi FC goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze is showing great control over his expectations that he knows that they must enjoy the moment and do their best.
Mihlali Baleka
Elvis Chipezeze has been here before. As such, he’s showing great control over his expectations that he knows that they must enjoy the moment and do their best.
Magesi will face Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout Cup final at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday (6pm kick-off).
Chipezeze is set to be in goal for the top-flight newbies, having played a key role en route to their first cup final at their first attempt, after winning three Player-of-the-Match awards in a row.
But while these are uncharted grounds for Dikwena, they are not for Chipezeze. He played in the final of the same competition against Orlando Pirates in 2018.
In that competition – when it was still known as the Telkom Knockout – the Zimbabwean international played a starring role, helping Baroka FC beat Pirates on penalties in Gqeberha.
Chipezeze was so crucial for Bakgakga that he was duly voted as the Player of the Tournament, thanks to his heroics between the sticks.
Sure, it’s now the same stage, with a different cast and crew, but Chipezeze knows all too well about playing in a cup final and the responsibility that rests on his shoulders after his impressive exploits.
“At the end of the day, football is still played on the pitch. I am just here to enjoy the moment,” Chipezeze said during a media briefing this week.
“As much as we are on a good run, we must still work for it. I am just excited to be in another final in South Africa, with the fans that are rallying behind me.
“They play a very key role in what we are doing now. I want them to come out in numbers, fill up the buses from Limpopo to Bloem, and rally behind the boys. We really need them.”
Chipezeze has noted some similarities between the final he played against Pirates and now against the Brazilians.
“It’s more like the same. I remember in that final, we had the likes of (Jemondre) Dickens, a young boy who was coming up as well,” recalled Chipezeze, referring to Dikwena’s youthful squad.
“We had the likes of (Mduduzi) Mdantsane, Goodman Mosele, and (Talent) Chawapiwa and a good number of senior guys. So, it’s the same.
“In 2018, Pirates were a powerhouse, and they were desperate for a trophy. So, we knew that it wasn’t going to be easy because they possessed the qualities that Sundowns have now.
“They have a front three of (Lucas) Ribeiro, (Iqraam) Rayners and Peter (Shalulile), and Pirates had (Thembinkosi) Lorch, (Vincent) Pule and (Justin) Shonga or (Augustine) Mulenga.
“So, like I said, we are underdogs, so we are just going to enjoy the moment. We’ll just see how it goes on Saturday.”
Chipezeze embraces their underdog tag. After all, such is his longevity in football, he knows that being less under pressure opens the door for them to spring a surprise.
And boy, Dikwena have already caused upsets this season. They eliminated Pirates in the Carling Knockout and drew with Kaizer Chiefs in the league. Hence, they’ll be gunning for Sundowns. “We enjoy that. Being an underdog is a nice feeling going there. Pressure is there in football, and as an underdog, you want to leave a mark in whatever you do,” he added.
“But, like I said, it’s the final and we want to enjoy the moment. We just want to make this province – the people of Limpopo – proud by what we’ve achieved. We are looking at coming from the NFD, lifting the trophy in the NFD, coming into the Premiership and having a good run in the Carling Knockout, so, you can’t be prouder.
“You must enjoy the moment. Come Saturday, we are going to go out there, put on the same approach and make sure that we make our fans happy.”
