Maritzburg out to avoid hat-trick of defeats

Maritzburg out to avoid hat-trick of defeats
Bokang Tlhone of Maritzburg United challenges Knox Mutizwa of Golden Arrows during the Absa Premiership match Maritzburg United and Golden Arrows on the 05 August 2018 at Harry Gwala Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Aug 16, 2018. 10:32

Maritzburg United will aim to avoid a hat-trick of defeats at the start of the Absa Premiership season when they host Kaizer Chiefs at Harry Gwala Stadium on 17 August 2018, kick-off at 20h00.

Maritzburg suffered a second straight league loss when they were beaten 2-1 at Free State Stars on August 8, though the game did at least feature a consolation goal for debutant Keletso Makgalwa.

The Team of Choice’s previous home game, which took place on the opening weekend of the season, saw them beaten 2-0 at home by KwaZulu-Natal rivals Golden Arrows.

Chiefs are still searching for their first league win of the new season after they were held 1-1 at Baroka FC on August 14. The Soweto side needed a great goal from Siphiwe Tshabalala to salvage a share of the spoils.

The Amakhosi have picked up two draws in their away matches thus far in 2018/19. They will hope this trip to Pietermaritzburg brings them a haul of three points.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Chiefs have met in 24 league matches since 2005/06. The Amakhosi have claimed 12 wins compared to five for the Team of Choice, while seven matches have been drawn. The KwaZulu-Natal side has recorded three wins and four defeats in 12 home matches in the rivalry.

Last season Chiefs completed a league ‘double’ over Maritzburg – and extended their winning streak over the Team of Choice to five consecutive league games – by triumphing both 2-0 away and home. Striker Gustavo Paez scored three of the Amakhosi’s four goals in the matches.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to Stars on August 8: Ofori, Sanoka, De Reuck, Xulu, Thlone (Mekoa 70’), Makaringe, Ndlovu, Shandu, Atouba (Makgalwa 70’), Kunene, Mokate.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 1-1 draw with Baroka on August 14: Khune, Mphahlele, Ngezana, Cardoso, Ntiya-Ntiya, Katsande, Ntshangase, Páez (Jayiya 64'), Billiat, Tshabalala (Parker 77'), Castro (Moon 84').





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