Maritzburg chase victory in final home game

by BackPageTXT

Friday May 03, 2019. 09:12

Maritzburg United will chase a much-needed victory in their final home Absa Premiership match of the season, as they host SuperSport United at Harry Gwala Stadium on 4 May 2019, kick-off at 15h00.

Maritzburg claimed just their fifth win of the league campaign when they defeated Black Leopards 2-1 away from home on April 27, giving them a realistic hope of avoiding direct relegation from the top flight.

The Team of Choice has claimed 15 points from 14 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-0 loss to Orlando Pirates on April 24.

SuperSport have won just once in their last five league outings after they were held 1-1 at home by Bidvest Wits on April 27. The Tshwane side played more than a quarter of the game with 10 men after a red card for Dean Furman.

Matsatsantsa have claimed 19 points from 14 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 2-0 loss at AmaZulu on April 24.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and SuperSport have met in 25 league matches since 2005/06. Matsatsantsa have claimed 14 wins compared to just two for the Team of Choice, while nine matches have been drawn. The KwaZulu-Natal club has yet to win a home match against their Tshwane counterparts, with five draws and seven losses from 12 turns as hosts.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Mbombela Stadium in December 2018, SuperSport claimed a 1-0 home win thanks to a penalty from Aubrey Modiba. The Tshwane side is unbeaten in their last eight league matches against Maritzburg.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 2-1 win over Leopards on April 27: Ofori, Mandela, Allie, Shandu (Kunene 46'), Xulu, Timm, Makaringe, Hlongwane (Zakri 66'), Kateregga (De Reuck 74'), Mokate, Ndlovu.

SuperSport’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with Wits on April 27: Williams, Kekana, Khumalo, Daniels, Nhlapo (Lungu 46’), Rusike, Furman, Mokoena, Modiba (Keene 81’), Machupu, Grobler (Webber 69’).