Maritzburg look for double over ‘Downs
Maritzburg United will look to complete a double over Mamelodi Sundowns when the two sides meet in an Absa Premiership clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday night, kick-off at 20h00
(CAT, SA, GMT+2)
Both sides will go into this match still in search of their first win having resumed their league campaigns with draws.
The Team of Choice traveled to Durban to face bottom-of-the-log side AmaZulu on Tuesday night and had to settle for a point as the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
However, coach Ernst Middendorp was satisfied with getting something out of the game following the long break and remains hopeful that his players will start getting into gear.
“I think that we achieved the minimum target of one point from an away game which was also a derby,” said Middendorp.
“It was always going to be difficult, especially against a team with new players and a new coach and also considering that we are coming from a long break.”
Despite the dropped points, United remain in fifth place with 25 points from 17 games and will look to end their streak of five matches without a win.
Earlier this season Delron Buckley scored a brace to help United register a 2-1 win over Sundowns, and although he was closely marked during the derby on Tuesday, Middendorp is expecting a more open game over the weekend.
“In recent weeks we’ve seen a lot of man-marking on Delron Buckley, players closing him down, but I don’t think Sundowns will take a specific player to mark him because they will be confident enough, but let’s wait and see,” he said.
“The favourites to win the game are Sundowns because they are a team of high class players but there’s always a chance for every team in each and every game.”
