Maritzburg look for first three-pointer

Cole Alexander of Bidvest Wits challenges Siphesihle Ndlovu of Maritzburg United during the Absa Premiership match between Bidvest Wits and Maritzburg United on 03 April 2018 at Bidvest Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Sep 14, 2018. 11:46

Maritzburg United will target a first win in the 2018/19 Absa Premiership when they host Bidvest Wits at Harry Gwala Stadium on 15 September 2018, kick-off at 18h00.

Maritzburg picked up their first point of the new league campaign when they held Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 at home on August 17. The KwaZulu-Natal side played most of the match with 10 men following an early red card for Siphesihle Ndlovu.

The Team of Choice has yet to score at home (their first game as hosts this term was a 2-0 loss against provincial rivals Golden Arrows) and will be hoping this clash sees them hit the back of the net in front of their home fans.

Wits claimed a fourth win from their opening five league matches when they trumped AmaZulu 3-0 at home on August 29, with goals from Gift Motupa, Mxolisi Machupu and Simon Murray.

The Clever Boys have won both of their away games so far this season, beating both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in Soweto.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Wits have met in 22 league matches since 2006/07. The Clever Boys have claimed 11 wins compared to just three for the Team of Choice, while eight matches have been drawn. The KwaZulu-Natal team has claimed just one win and suffered four defeats from their 11 home league matches against the Johannesburg side.

Last season Wits took four points off Maritzburg – the teams played to a goalless stalemate in Pietermaritzburg in the first half of the campaign, while the return game in Johannesburg was won 2-1 by the hosts thanks to goals from Keegan Ritchie and Buhle Mkhwanazi. The Clever Boys have put together an eight-game unbeaten run against the Team of Choice.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Chiefs on August 17: Ofori, Sanoka, De Reuck, Xulu, Tlhone, Buchanan (Farmer 78'), Shandu, Ndlovu, Mekoa, Makgalwa (Kunene 65'), Fileccia (Mokate 54').

Wits’ line-up from their 3-0 win over AmaZulu on August 29: Keet, Hlatshwayo, Johannes, Monare, Hotto, Hlanti, Mkhwanazi, Alexander, Domingo (Pelembe 81'), Motupa (Weidlich 65'), Macuphu (Murray 63').