Maritzburg, Celtic in first Nedbank Cup meeting since 2012

Deolin Mekoa of Maritzburg Utd

Friday Mar 30, 2018. 08:14

Maritzburg United and Bloemfontein Celtic will have their first Nedbank Cup meeting since 2012 when they clash at the Harry Gwala Stadium on 31 March 2018, kick-off at 15h30.

Maritzburg earned their place in the final eight thanks to victories over Swallows FC (3-1 away after extra time) and Royal Eagles (2-1 away). They have had four different goal scorers thus far: Andrea Fileccia, Mxolisi Kunene, Deolin Mekoa and Siyanda Xulu.

The Team of Choice has never won the Nedbank Cup, nor reached the final, while their participation in the 2017 edition was ended in the last 32 round when they were beaten 3-1 at KwaZulu-Natal rivals Golden Arrows.

Maritzburg come into the game on the back of a 2-1 home win over Polokwane on March 16 in a league clash. They have put together a sequence of six unbeaten games, five of which ended in victories.

Celtic claimed their spot in the quarterfinals with a penalty shootout win over SuperSport United in the last 32 (the teams drew 1-1 after extra time), before ousting Richards Bay 3-1 in the last 16 thanks to goals from Mpho Maruping, Neo Maema and Kabelo Dlamini.

Phunya Sele Sele have won the Nedbank Cup just once, back in 1985, while their participation in the 2017 edition ended in the quarterfinals when they were beaten 2-1 after extra time by eventual runners-up Orlando Pirates.

Celtic come into the game on the back of a 1-0 home win over Platinum Stars in the league on March 18. They have won three of their last four matches across all competitions.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Celtic have met in just two previous cup matches: United have beaten the Bloemfontein side 2-1 and 2-0 in a 2010/11 Telkom Knockout last 16 match and 2011/12 Nedbank Cup last 32 tie respectively.

Overall, the teams have met in 26 matches across all competitions since 2005/06. The Team of Choice has claimed 10 wins compared to six for Phunya Sele Sele. The clubs last met in a league clash in January which ended in an emphatic 4-0 home win for Maritzburg.