Chiefs aim to add to Maritzburg’s woes

Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United will renew their rivalry when the teams meet in an Absa Premiership clash at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday evening.

Kick-off is at 6:00pm CAT.

Chiefs claimed their eighth victory of the season (and broke a three-game winless streak) when they defeated Highlands Park 3-2 in Durban last weekend, thanks to goals from Bernard Parker, Leonardo Castro and Dumisani Zuma.

The Amakhosi have claimed 15 points from 11 home matches this season, recording four wins, three draws and four defeats.

Maritzburg claimed a second win from their last three league matches when they defeated KwaZulu-Natal rivals AmaZulu 2-1 at home, with goals from Fortune Makaringe and Judas Moseamedi.

The Team of Choice has claimed just five points from 11 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 3-2 loss at the hands of Cape Town City on February 23.

When the teams met earlier this season, at the Harry Gwala Stadium in August 2018, they played out a goalless stalemate. The result extended Chiefs’ unbeaten run against Maritzburg to seven league matches.

Most Recent Starting 11:

Kaizer Chiefs: Akpeyi, Moleko, Cardoso, Hadebe (Ntiyantiya 46’), Mphahlele, Maluleka, Ekstein, Zulu, Zuma (Booysen 89’), Castro, Parker (Andrianarimanana 62’).

Maritzburg United: Ofori, Kunene, Xulu, Allie, Sanoka, Makaringe (Mokate 89'), Timm, Kutumela (Kateregga 70'), Ndlovu, Zakri (Moseamedi 56'), Shandu.

What They Said:

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp:

“Of course I’ve got history with Maritzburg and I don’t need to explain that in detail,” said Middendorp.

“I’m now 100% with Kaizer Chiefs and there’s no looking right or left. What I can tell you is that I’ve got two teams close to my heart.

“When I was not with Kaizer Chiefs, I had three teams where I was always looking at their results. I have a huge history with Arminia Bielefeld in Germany and the next on is Maritzburg United.

“It is a three pointer and we will do everything to bring it in to our advantage.”

Maritzburg United head coach Eric Tinkler:

“This team can’t be relegated, we don’t deserve to go to the National First Division, we are a very professional club and only a few teams are managed like us,” said Tinkler.

“We don’t want to be in the playoffs and for us to achieve that we need to work extra hard and win all our home games.

“We must prepare to win against the top teams as we want to avoid the playoffs.”

Key Players

Kaizer Chiefs

Bernard Paker: Fresh from extending his contract with the club, Parker will be eager to repay the faith shown in him by Chiefs management by finding the back of the net for the second game in succession. The veteran forward might not be as prolific in front of goal as he should be, but there is no denying his importance in creating goal scoring chances and Middendorp will be counting on his creativity as Chiefs aim to spark a late title push.

Daniel Cardoso: A mainstay in the Amakhosi defensive line since Middendorp’s reappointment, Carodoso has grown in confidence at the heart of the Chiefs defence. Cool as you like from the penalty spot, the centre-back seemingly has it all in his armory. Key to how Chiefs want to play, Cardoso’s passing precision from the back and astute decision-making, has cemented his name as one of the first on the team sheet.

Maritzburg United

Siyanda Xulu: Coming up against his former employers, Xulu will be raring to go as the Team of Choice aim to make further strides in avoiding relegation. The KZN side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 league outings, something Xulu will be desperate to help rectify. With the season now in it’s business end, a win against Chiefs could be just the shot in the arm Maritzburg need in their quest of avoiding the chop.

Fortune Makaringe: The midfielder has contributed directly to four goals in his last three games for the club and seemingly hit form at just the right time. Coming up against a Chiefs side still searching for the right combination in midfield, Makaringe could take advantage as the Team of Choice aim to break their winless run against the Glamour Boys.