Maritzburg desperate to end 2018 on a high

by Staff Reporter

Friday Dec 21, 2018. 08:54

Maritzburg United will be desperate to end the year on a high when they host Baroka FC for an Absa Premiership match at Harry Gwala Stadium on 22 December 2018, kick-off at 20h15.

Maritzburg have gone eight league matches without a win after they were beaten 1-0 at SuperSport United on December 15. The KwaZulu-Natal club last claimed a three-pointer in September when they defeated Bloemfontein Celtic away.

The Team of Choice has claimed just six points from seven (winless) home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-1 draw with Black Leopards on December 12.

Baroka come into the game place at the bottom of the log (the only team below Maritzburg) after they suffered a seventh defeat of the season, going down 2-1 at home to Bidvest Wits on December 16.

Bakgaga have claimed just four points from seven away matches this season, with their last result on the road a goalless draw at Mamelodi Sundowns on December 11.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Baroka have met in four league matches since 2016/17. The Team of Choice boasts a 100 percent record in the rivalry, having won all four games between the clubs. The KwaZulu-Natal side’s two home matches have brought them 3-1 and 3-0 victories.

Last season Maritzburg completed a league ‘double’ over Bakgaga by winning 3-0 at the Harry Gwala Stadium in December 2017 and 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in April 2018.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to SuperSport on December 15: Ofori, de Reuck, Xulu, Onyango, Sanoka (Atouba 73’), Figueredo (Makgalwa 73’), Makaringe, Ndlovu, Kunene, Mekoa, Mokate (Zakri 84’).

Baroka’s line-up from their 2-1 loss to Wits on December 16: Chipezeze, Sememya, Makume (Banda 29’), Sibiya, Gebhardt, Mosele, Mdantsane, Chawapiwa, Sodi, Mabeba (Makgantai 54’), Dickens (Chivaviro 70’).