Ek sê The Magic FC, I really hope you made the most of the Cup experience, bafethu!
Just in case you have been living under a rock, The Magic FC is the local SAFA Western Cape ABC Motsepe League team based in Mutual, there near larney Pinelands.
So the ouens played against Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup last 16 this past weekend in
Port Elizabeth and held their own all the way until extra time, but eventually lost 3-0.
We all watched the match on TV and it was the stuff of dreams watching the ouens from next door putting up a brave fight against easily the country’s most supported team.
PROUD: George Dearnaley. PHOTO: BACKPAGEPIX
Please forgive me and, perhaps, many others who were keen to go but were not able to make the trip and show love to you guys. But a shout-out to those who made it.
It was short notice, gents.
I mean it’s the middle of February with two more weeks to survive this month, we have barely recovered from Janu-worry and we also had Valentine’s Day the same week of your match.
I also feel swak for the family and friends who were obviously excited when Chiefs were announced as The Magic’s opponents in the last 16 draw.
DREAM: Thando Mngomeni. PHOTO: SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX
It’s an opportunity missed for people who fantasised about Thando Mngomeni doing what he did in PE in front of his people?
It’s an opportunity and experience lost for the local community people who’ve backed The Magic week in and week out in the ABC Motsepe League.
They also wanted to see them play against the famous Soweto giants right here in eKapa.
It could have been beautiful.
But hey, there were “no facilities available” as was said in official statements, which was unfortunate.
I also know quite a few people who are not convinced by the statements that were issued in the days leading up to the match.
The City of Cape Town’s reluctance to bid aggressively for local football matches is well-documented, so not many fans and journalists were surprised to hear the match was not going to be played in Cape Town.
Plus we also know how ungovernable Kaizer Chiefs fans can be, so if Cape Town Stadium was indeed not available, all other venues in Cape Town were out of the question.
RAUCOUS: Fan invades the pitch at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. PHOTO: SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX
I know from past experiences that the City doesn’t compromise easily on their price for use of the stadium, so it would have been an expensive exercise for The Magic to fund a once-off event without the backing of the City on their second division budget.
I hope PE at least made it worth your while and you have no regrets with the way things worked out!
dailyvoice@inl.co.za