Highlands take on relegation-threatened Maritzburg

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Apr 12, 2019. 04:01

Highlands Park will take on relegation-threatened Maritzburg United in an Absa Premiership match at the Makhulong Stadium on 13 April 2019, kick-off at 15h00.

Highlands played to their 12th draw from 24 league matches when they were held 1-1 away to Chippa United on March 17. The Tembisa-based side has claimed just one win from their last four outings.

Highlands’ lengthy break from action was because their previous scheduled match at home to Free State Stars on April 6 was postponed.

The Lions of the North have claimed 19 points from 11 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 2-1 win at home to Baroka FC in early March.

Maritzburg claimed a third win from their last six league matches when they defeated Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 at home on April 5, with Allan Kateregga scoring a late brace to boost his side’s survival hopes.

The Team of Choice has claimed just five points from 12 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-0 loss at Kaizer Chiefs in early March.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Highlands have met in just three previous top-flight league matches. The Lions of the North boast an unbeaten record in the sequence, with one win and two draws. Their only previous game as hosts in the rivalry brought them a 1-0 win in the second half of the 2016/17 season.

When the teams met earlier in this campaign, at the Harry Gwala Stadium in November 2018, they played out a 2-2 draw. Yannick Zakri and Mohau Mokate twice put the Team of Choice into the lead, but Highlands fought back through equalisers from Lindokuhle Mbatha and Mothobi Mvala.

Highlands’ line-up from their 1-1 draw with Chippa on March 17: Heugh, L. Mokoena, Fransman, Msimango, Williams, Rae, Shongwe (Motlafi 66’), Motsepe, Nyembe (Hoaseb 84’), Mvala, Shalulile.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 2-1 win over Celtic on April 5: Ofori, Kunene, Xulu, Ndlovu (Kateregga 57'), De Reuck, Onyango, Shandu, Makaringe, Timm, Kutumela (Moseamedi 74'), Mokate (Zakri 66').