As reported earlier by Sportswire, Magesi FC has officially announced the hiring of Owen da Gama as their new head coach.

Da Gama takes over from Clinton Larsen, who stepped down last weekend following Magesi’s 3-0 loss to All-Stars in the Carling Cup held at Orlando Stadium.

Initially, the club had named Papi Zothwane as the interim head coach, with Jackie Ledwaba assisting him.

Both Zothwane and Ledwaba were part of the coaching staff during Magesi’s 1-0 defeat against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, while da Gama observed the match from the stands.

The 63-year-old coach has a notable career, having managed teams like Platinum Stars, South Africa’s U-23 national team, and served temporarily as manager for Bafana Bafana, Highlands Park, Sekhukhune United, TS Galaxy, and Black Leopards (which he left in June), and is now pursuing a new challenge.

Notably, like his predecessor Larsen, da Gama has a commendable history in the Carling Knockout Cup, having clinched the title with Silver Stars in 2006 when it was referred to as the Telkom Knockout.

With his background at Orlando Pirates, da Gama is anticipated to quickly improve Magesi’s results. The club is currently at the bottom of the league, having secured only six points from 10 matches, and played two fewer games than 15th-placed Richards Bay.

Da Gama’s inaugural match as head coach of Magesi is set against his former team, TS Galaxy, at Mbombela Stadium on 4 January 2025.