Maritzburg look to continue strong form

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Mar 16, 2018. 13:06

Maritzburg United will look to continue their strong form in the Absa Premiership when they host Polokwane City at Harry Gwala Stadium on 16 March 2018, kick-off at 20h00.

Maritzburg played to a goalless draw away to SuperSport United in their last league outing on March 3, extending their unbeaten run to three games. The KwaZulu-Natal side has claimed seven points from nine up for grabs in the sequence.

The Team of Choice has taken 18 points from 11 home matches this season, with their last two games as hosts bringing them victories over AmaZulu and Platinum Stars.

Polokwane claimed a first league win since early January when they defeated Bloemfontein Celtic 2-0 away on March 7. The result broke a run of seven winless matches which had brought the Limpopo team six points from a possible 21.

Rise and Shine have claimed 16 points from 11 away matches this season, with their last loss on the road coming at Kaizer Chiefs in mid-January.

In head-to-head stats, Polokwane and Maritzburg have met in nine league matches since 2013/14. Rise and Shine have claimed four wins compared to two for the Team of Choice, while three matches have been drawn. United have recorded two wins and two defeats from four home league matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season they played to a goalless draw in the Limpopo province back in November. It was the first 0-0 between the teams, whose last three league meeting have produced three goals (compared to 18 in their first six).

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with SuperSport on March 3: Ofori, Sanoka, Fransman, Xulu, Ndlovu (Onyango 90+2’), Makaringe, Shandu, Mokate (Kunene 74’), Maboe, Mekoa, Fileccia (Van Wyk 90+1’).

Polokwane’s line-up from their 2-0 win over Celtic on March 7: Chigova, Semenya, Sikhosana, Tshilo, Hlongwane, Chungwa (Ndou 46’), Phiri, J. Maluleke