Chiefs look to bounce back from midweek defeat

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Apr 27, 2018. 10:00

Kaizer Chiefs will look to bounce back strongly from midweek defeat in the Absa Premiership when they host Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium on 28 April 2018, kick-off at 15h00.

Chiefs suffered a second loss from their last three league matches when they were beaten 3-1 at Golden Arrows on April 24. It was the first game in charge for caretaker coach Patrick Mabedi, following Steve Komphela’s resignation last weekend.

The Amakhosi have claimed just 19 points from 14 home matches this season, though their last game as hosts brought a 1-0 win over bottom-of-the-log Platinum Stars in mid-April. They have also beaten Cape Town City, Polokwane City and Ajax Cape Town at home.

Maritzburg played to their 10th draw of the season when they held log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns 2-2 at home on April 25. The result saw the Tshwane side’s lead cut to four points ahead of this round of matches.

The Team of Choice has claimed 20 points from 14 away matches this season, with their last game on the road a 2-0 win at Baroka FC in mid-April.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Chiefs have met in 23 league matches since 2005/06. The Amakhosi have claimed 11 wins compared to five for the Team of Choice, while seven matches have been drawn. The Soweto giants have claimed seven wins and suffered two defeats from 11 matches as hosts in this rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, in KwaZulu-Natal in September 2017, Chiefs claimed a 2-0 away win thanks to a brace of goals from Gustavo Paez. The result was a fourth successive victory for the Amakhosi over the Team of Choice.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 3-1 loss to Arrows on April 24: Khune, Cardoso, Mathoho, Masilela (Zulu 46'), Mphahlele (Paez 86'), Molangoane, Katsande, Maluleka, Parker (Zuma 69'), Tshabalala, Castro.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 2-2 draw with Sundowns on April 25: Ofori, Fransman , Sanoka, Thlone (Matima 77’), Xulu, Shandu, Makaringe, Ndlovu, Maboe, Kunene (Mekoa 80’), Fileccia (Van Wyk 66’).