Maritzburg look for upset win over Pirates

by BackPageTXT

Tuesday Apr 23, 2019. 16:00

Maritzburg United will look for an upset victory over Orlando Pirates in a bottom-v-top Absa Premiership clash at Harry Gwala Stadium on 24 April 2019, kick-off at 19h30.

Maritzburg suffered their 14th defeat of the season when they succumbed 1-0 away to Highlands Park on April 13. The KwaZulu-Natal side has lost three of their last four league clashes.

The Team of Choice has claimed 15 points from 13 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 2-1 win over Bloemfontein Celtic in early April.

Pirates extended their lead at the top of the log with a third successive victory, edging Free State Stars 2-1 at home on April 13 thanks to goals from Musa Nyatama and Justin Shonga.

The Buccaneers have claimed 25 points from 13 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-0 win at fellow title contenders Bidvest Wits in early April.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Pirates have met in 25 league matches since 2005/06. The Buccaneers have claimed 12 wins compared to six for the Team of Choice, while seven matches have been drawn. The KwaZulu-Natal side has won four of their 12 home league matches against their Soweto counterparts, suffering five defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at the Orlando Stadium in December 2018, they played out a goalless stalemate. Pirates and Maritzburg have played out four draws in their last seven league meetings.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Highlands on April 13: Ofori, Kunene (Mekoa 76'), Xulu, Allie, Sanoka, De Reuck, Makaringe, Timm, Kateregga, Moseamedi (Mokate 71'), Zakri (Figuareido 62').

Pirates’ line-up from their 2-1 win over Stars on April 13: Sandilands, Dube, Jele, Munetsi, Maela, Lorch (Pule 60’), Nyatama, Motshwari, Memela (Makola 72’), Mulenga (Mabaso 80’), Shonga.