Maritzburg look to bounce back

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Apr 06, 2018. 12:24

Maritzburg United will look to bounce back from midweek defeat when they host Cape Town City for an Absa Premiership clash at Harry Gwala Stadium on 7 April 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

Maritzburg saw their four-game unbeaten run ended in Johannesburg on April 3 when they were beaten 2-1 by Bidvest Wits. Before the loss, the KwaZulu-Natal team had taken 10 points from a possible 12.

The Team of Choice has claimed 21 points from 12 home matches this season. They have won their last three games as hosts, with their latest a 2-1 triumph over Polokwane City in mid-March.

City were also on the losing side in midweek as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Golden Arrows on April 4. The Cape Town side has lost five of their last six league outings to drop out of title contention.

The Citizens have claimed 21 points from 14 away matches this season, though their last game on the road brought a 2-0 loss at Baroka FC in late February.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and City have met in three matches since the start of last season. The Team of Choice lead the series two wins to one, including a 4-2 away triumph in December last year. That match is remembered as much for the Citizens having to host it at the Princess Magogo Stadium near Durban due to a lack of suitable venues in Cape Town.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to Wits on April 3: Ofori, Fransman, Xulu (Mokate 46'), Shandu, De Reuck, Maboe, Ndlovu, Sanoka, Matima (Atouba 87'), Fileccia (McDonald 61'), Kunene.
City’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Arrows on April 4: Stephens, Dove, Mngonyama, Fielies, Mkhize, Putsche, Nodada (Kateregga 79’), Lakay (Seedat 83’), Masud, Patosi, Ralani (Martin 55’).