Chipezeze enjoying a new lease of life in SA

Sport
Elvis Chipezeze of Magesi makes a save during the Motsepe Foundation Championship game between Cape Town Spurs and Magesi FC at Athlone Stadium on 22 January 2023

Zimbabwean international goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze says he’s content with playing in South Africa’s second-tier Motsepe Foundation Championship with Magesi and believes the club’s project has potential.

After Baroka’s relegation from the South African Premiership, Chipezeze was released by Bakgaga, but the 32-year-old was given a new lease of life by Magesi.

“It has been great because it’s an opportunity that came along and I took it,” said Chipezeze about his time at Magesi so far.

“In life, you have to face challenges and if you don’t face challenges you don’t prosper in this game.

“That’s why when the chairman and the CEO came knocking, I said I’m happy with the project. We are building something special,” he said.

With South Africa’s second-tier championship at the halfway mark, Magesi are in ninth place with 19 points.

It's fair to say that they are punching above their weight as they strive to retain their status in the league. Chipezeze says the team has a good blend and the players are determined to make a name for themselves.

“The boys are pushing, they want to make a name for themselves, you’ll see what Magesi is capable of doing, and I’m just excited.

“We made a lot of mistakes in the past and now the blend that we have of experience and youth, is good,” Chipezeze said.

Magesi are under the leadership of Clinton Larsen, who joined this month as a coach with Jackie Ledwaba as assistant. Chipezeze said the chemistry between the coaching team is good.

“The relationship has been good, it’s normal in football to get new coaches here and there. The relationship between the technical team and staff has been great. We say if we’re divided we fall, but if we are one then things will go according to plan,” he said.

A fan favorite during his time at Baroka, Chipezeze became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper on his arrival from Chicken Inn.

He made thirty-one appearances during his debut campaign on the south side of Limpopo, helping his team to a Telkom Knockout triumph.

His heroic performance in the cup competition earned him the Goalkeeper of the Tournament gong at the 2018/19 PSL Awards.

Chipezeze remained Baroka’s first-choice keeper for the following season and was named one of the club’s captains in 2020.

Despite losing his place in the starting lineup to South African Oscarine Masuluke during the 2020/2021 season, Chipezeze remained one of the top earners at the club.

The former Warriors international struggled for game time in the next season, prompting his release from the club and subsequent move to Magesi where he is attempting to revive his career. — Sowetan

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