Maritzburg chase back-to-back wins

Daylon Claasen of Maritzburg United is chased down by Siyabonga Dube of Lamontville Golden Arrows during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 football match between Golden Arrows and Maritzburg United at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, Durban on 04 August 2019 © Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

by BackPageTXT

Tuesday Oct 01, 2019. 09:58

Maritzburg United will chase back-to-back Absa Premiership wins when they host Baroka FC at Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday 2 October 2019, kick-off at 19h30.

Maritzburg claimed their first victory of the new season on Friday, September 27 when they defeated Chippa United 1-0. The Team of Choice secured the three points thanks to a first-half strike from Thabiso Kutumela.

Baroka have suffered two successive league losses, with their latest setback a 1-0 defeat away to Kaizer Chiefs in Soweto on Saturday, September 28. Bakgaka, however, have claimed a respectable six points from a possible nine on the road so far this season.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Baroka have met in six league matches since 2016/17. The Team of Choice has claimed four wins compared to one for Bakgaga, while one game has been drawn. The KwaZulu-Natal side’s three previous home matches in the rivalry have produced two wins and one defeat.

Last season Baroka took four points off Maritzburg, winning 1-0 at the Harry Gwala Stadium in December 2018 before playing out a 1-1 draw in the return game at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium in May 2019.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 1-0 win over Chippa on September 27: Ofori, De Reuck, Xulu, Morgan, Claasen, Shandu, Ntshangase (Sangweni 52′), Kunene, Kutumela, Brockie (Allie 72′), Lea’alafa (Nyoni 46′).

Baroka’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Chiefs on September 28: Chipezeze, Mogaswa, Makgaka (Mdantsane 63’), Sibiya, Shozi, Ngubane, Kambala (Nsimba 84’), Mabeba (Selemela 73’), Mbulu, Phiri, Patjie.