Maritzburg look to bounce back

Eric Tinkler, coach of Maritzburg United instructing his players

Friday Aug 21, 2020. 13:00

Maritzburg United will look to bounce back from an Absa Premiership defeat when they host Mamelodi Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday 21 August 2020, kick-off at 18h00.

Maritzburg returned to football with a 3-2 loss away to Black Leopards on August 16, breaking a run of four straight wins they had put together prior to lockdown. The Team of Choice has claimed 22 points from 12 home matches thus far in the season.

Sundowns also suffered a defeat in their last outing, going down 3-2 away to Cape Town City on August 17 to stretch their winless run to three matches. The Brazilians have claimed 19 points from 12 away matches in this league campaign.

In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and Maritzburg have met in 27 league matches since 2005/06. The Brazilians have claimed 18 wins compared to three for the Team of Choice, while six matches have been drawn. The KwaZulu-Natal side has claimed two wins from 13 home matches in the rivalry, suffering eight defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in September 2019, Sundowns claimed a 2-1 home win thanks to goals from Gaston Sirino and Lyle Lakay. The Brazilians are unbeaten in their last 14 league matches against the Team of Choice.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 3-2 loss to Leopards on August 16: Ofori, Allie, Mngonyama (Sanoka 82’), De Reuck, Kunene (Shandu 62’), Claasen, Buchanan, Tlolane, Timm (Ntshangase 56’), Hlongwane (Moseamedi 56’), Kutumela (Augusto 82’).

Sundowns’ line-up from their 3-2 loss to City on August 17: Onyango, Lukhubeni (Jali 63′), Langerman (Lakay 75′), Arendse, Mabunda (Vilakazi 63′), Coetzee, Mkhulise, Kekana, Sirino (Makgala 77′), Zwane (Mahlambi 64′), Maboe.