Chippa, Maritzburg desperate to end losing streak

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Jan 18, 2019. 10:07

Chippa United and Maritzburg United will both be desperate to end their losing streaks in the Absa Premiership when they meet at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 19 January 2019, kick-off at 15h30.

Chippa suffered a third straight loss – and saw their winless streak in the league extended to 10 matches – when they were beaten 4-2 at Orlando Pirates on January 8. The Eastern Cape side has scored just six goals in their current winless sequence.

The Chilli Boys have claimed just eight points from as many home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-0 loss to Bloemfontein Celtic early this month.

Maritzburg suffered a fifth successive defeat – and saw their winless run in the league extended to 12 matches – with a 1-0 loss at Mamelodi Sundowns on January 16. The KwaZulu-Natal side last won a match in September 2018.

The Team of Choice has claimed five points from eight away matches this season. That sequence has seen them score just two goals on the road through the entire campaign thus far.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Chippa have met in 11 league matches since 2012/13. The Team of Choice has claimed four wins compared to one for the Chilli Boys, while six matches have been drawn. The Eastern Cape side has won two of their six home league matches in the rivalry, suffering one defeat in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Harry Gwala Stadium in late November 2018, they played out a goalless stalemate. It was a third successive draw between Chippa and Maritzburg and a fifth from their last six league meetings.

Chippa’s line-up from their 4-2 loss to Pirates on January 8: Akpeyi, Macheke, Nsabiyumva, Modisane, Maphanga (Komane 36’), Makobela, Sangweni (Mbenyane 46’), Malepe, Tlolane, Mayambela (Lentjies 64’), R. Manzini.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Sundowns on January 16: Ofori, De Reuck, Xulu, Onyango, Sanoka (Moseamedi 72’), Makaringe, Ndlovu (Matima 63’), Matsi, Kunene, Makgalwa (Figuareido 71’), Kutumela.