Hungry Lions target Magesi’s perfect start in Motsepe Foundation Championship

Hungry Lions will attempt to halt Magesi’s perfect start to the Motsepe Foundation Championship season when the sides meet at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday at 3pm.

Dikwena tsa Meetse have won each of their opening four league matches and lead the table with 12 points, three ahead of Real Native and Highbury.

Their fast start has strengthened Magesi’s hopes of returning to the Premiership next season, but Hungry Lions coach Hendry “Shabba” Basie is determined to disrupt their progress.

“You cannot go there and say you don’t want to stop them. The plan must be to stop them and get the three points, but obviously it is not going to be easy; it will be difficult,” Basie told Sowetan.

Magesi are yet to lose this season and Basie believes an early breakthrough could affect their confidence and rhythm.

“Remember they have not lost yet. It will also have a psychological impact on them if we score first or score two fast goals. It will also kill their momentum because they are not used to it,” he said.

“The plan must not be to hope for a draw; it should be to stop them and win there.”

Hungry Lions are 10th in the standings after recording one victory, one defeat and two draws from their first four matches. They trail Magesi by seven points, although Basie said it was too soon to draw conclusions about the promotion race.

“The only thing I can say is there are points on the board, and it doesn’t matter home or away as long as there are points that are coming,” he said.

“So, while you are busy trying to settle and finding combinations and you’re still getting points, it is positive.”

Basie added that building understanding within the squad remained important as the campaign developed.

“Players need to gel and understand each other, and once they start to know each other, then it’s positive.”

Highbury will also be looking to respond after losing 1-0 at home to Magesi last week. They host Gomora United at Nelson Mandela University Stadium on Friday at 3pm.

At the other end of the table, The Bees will seek their first points of the season against Lerumo at KaNyamazane at 3pm on Saturday, having lost all four of their opening matches.

All fixtures kick off at 3pm.

Friday: Highbury v Gomora, Nelson Mandela University; Real Native v Venda, Solomon Mahlangu.

Saturday: Upington v Pretoria University, Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs; Hope v Orbit, Athlone; Bees v Lerumo, KaNyamazane; North-West v CPT City, NWU Fanie Du Toit Sports Ground; Leicesterford v Midlands, Lucas Moripe.

Sunday: Magesi v Hungry Lions, Old Peter Mokaba.