In-form Polokwane take aim at Maritzburg

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Oct 26, 2018. 12:09

Polokwane City will look to continue their fine form in the Absa Premiership when they host Maritzburg United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on 27 October 2018, kick-off at 15h30.

Polokwane have claimed 14 points from the last 18 up for grabs and underlined their strength with a 1-0 away win over Kaizer Chiefs on October 6, with Vusi Mngomezulu scoring the only goal against the Soweto giants.

Rise and Shine have picked up seven points from four home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-1 draw with SuperSport United early this month.

Maritzburg have gone five matches unbeaten in the league (and kept five clean sheets), with their latest Absa Premiership result a goalless draw at home to Cape Town City on October 5.

The Team of Choice has claimed four points from three away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 0-0 draw at KwaZulu-Natal rivals AmaZulu early this month.

In head-to-head stats, Polokwane and Maritzburg have met in 10 league matches since 2013/14. Rise and Shine have claimed four wins compared to three for the Team of Choice, while three matches have been drawn. City boast an unbeaten home record in the rivalry, with two wins and three draws from five games as hosts.

Last season Maritzburg took four points off Polokwane, drawing 0-0 in the Limpopo province in the first half of the campaign, followed by a 2-1 win in KwaZulu-Natal thanks to goals from Pogiso Sanoka and Siphesihle Ndlovu.

Polokwane’s line-up from their 1-0 win over Chiefs on October 6: Chigova, Mvelase, Motloung, Hlongwane, Nkili, Manaka, Maluleke (Baloyi 90+2'), Seabi, Booi (Mbonani 87'), Mngomezulu (Musona 70'), Ramagalela.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with CT City on October 5: Ofori, De Reuck, Sanoka, Xulu, Mandela, Shandu, Makaringe, Figareido (Makgalwa 46', Mekoa 89'), Ndlovu, Zakri (Fileccia 60’), Mokate.