Highlands looks to break winless run

Owen Da Gama, coach of Highlands Park and Allan Freese, assistant coach of Highlands Park

Friday Aug 28, 2020. 09:44

Highlands Park will look to break their winless run in the Absa Premiership when they host Maritzburg United at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday 29 August 2020, kick-off at 13h30.

Highlands extended their win drought to six matches with a 1-1 draw away to Polokwane City on August 22, though the match at least saw Peter Shalulile boost his chances of winning the Golden Boot with a well-taken goal. The Lions of the North have claimed 23 points from 13 home matches so far this season.

Maritzburg have gone three league matches without a win, all since the restart, after being held 0-0 at home by Bidvest Wits on August 24. The Team of Choice has claimed 17 points from 13 away matches in the 2019/20 campaign.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Highlands have met in five previous top-flight league matches. The Lions of the North boast an unbeaten record in the sequence, with two wins and three draws. The Tembisa-based side has won both of their two home matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Harry Gwala Stadium in August 2019, they played out a 1-1 draw: Maritzburg claimed the lead through Kwanda Mngonyama, but Highlands equalised late on with a strike from Peter Shalulile.

Highlands’ line-up from their 1-1 draw with Polokwane on August 22: Kapini, Mbhele (Ramagalela 89′), Makhaula (Rae 72′), Fransman, Mbunjana (Mokoena 73′), Mzava, Munyai, Nyatama (Mvala 62′), Mbatha, Jooste (Mogaila 62′), Shalulile.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Wits on August 24: Ofori, Morgan, De Reuck, Allie, Mngonyama (Sanoka 60′), Tlolane, Ntshangase, Shandu (Buchanan 60′), Claasen (Augusto 88′), Kutumela, Moseamedi (Hlongwane 75′).