Magesi vs Venda FC

The match kicked off at 12:00 local time as the second of two semi-finals on the one-day tournament programme. Polokwane City had earlier lost 1-0 to Sekhukhune United in the 09:00 opener, setting up a Championship-versus-Championship clash between Magesi and Venda FC — both sides from the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Baloyi's goal proved the difference in a tight, physical contest. Magesi FC's official match report confirmed the striker found the net in what head coach Kabelo Sibiya described as a performance that gave him a chance to assess his squad. "I'm very happy that we got to the final. It gave me an opportunity to look at all the players," Sibiya said post-match.

Venda FC, under Clinton Larsen, pushed for an equaliser but were denied by Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, who was named man of the match for his performance. Larsen, speaking to Nhluko Media Group after the match, was philosophical about the defeat: "I know it's not the result that we wanted, but for me the most important thing is the match fitness and the type of football we want to play. What I saw today gives me a lot of satisfaction."

Baloyi's goal — the only one of the match — arrived in a first half that Larsen admitted his side dominated in terms of possession. "I thought from the first half we dominated play," Larsen said. Magesi's discipline and organisation after taking the lead, anchored by Chipezeze's saves, ensured Venda could not find a way back.

Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi) — The goalkeeper earned man-of-the-match honours with a series of saves that kept Venda at bay, receiving praise from both dugouts after the final whistle.

Bafedile Baloyi (Magesi) — Scored the decisive goal that sent Magesi into the final. The striker's finish was the difference between the two Championship sides.

Donald Makhetha (Venda FC) — Larsen singled out the new signing from Black Leopards as his standout performer. "Arguably the best player on the park in my opinion," Larsen said. "A creative number eight that we've been lacking."

The Mafori Cup semi-final was a tight, low-scoring affair typical of early pre-season football. The 1-0 scoreline reflects two Championship sides still building match fitness, with Venda FC's Larsen noting his team was only three weeks into a seven-week pre-season programme. Magesi had lost their Betway Premiership status the previous season and were fielding a squad under new coach Sibiya, who had been appointed in early July. Venda, meanwhile, had signed 13 new players in the off-season under Larsen, including Douglas Mapfumo, Stevens Goagabamang, Donald Makhetha and goalkeeper Malcolm Jacobs — who kept 14 clean sheets in the 2025/26 Championship season.

Magesi progressed to the Mafori Cup final, where they lost 1-0 to Sekhukhune United later the same day. The tournament paid R250,000 to the winners, R150,000 to the runners-up and R100,000 to each beaten semi-finalist — meaning Magesi earned R150,000 in prize money from the day. For Venda FC, the match was a valuable pre-season test. Larsen confirmed the club had "four to five" more friendlies planned before the Motsepe Foundation Championship season begins, including fixtures against Polokwane City and Orbit.

Magesi, under new director of football Morgan Mammila and head coach Sibiya, are aiming for promotion back to the Betway Premiership after finishing second in the PSL Promotion Playoffs in June 2026. The club's 2026/27 Championship campaign will be key to their ambitions.

A cagey, honest pre-season semi-final that served its purpose for both clubs. Magesi got the win and a look at their squad in a competitive environment; Venda, despite defeat, showed signs of a promising rebuild under Larsen. Baloyi's goal and Chipezeze's goalkeeping were the margins that separated two evenly-matched Championship sides.