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Maritzburg, Highlands battle for points

football08 August 2019 13:28
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Miquel Timm © Gallo Images

Both Maritzburg United and Highlands Park will be looking to bounce back from opening Absa Premiership defeats when they lock horns at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday evening.

Kick-off is at 8pm CAT.

The Team of Choice suffered a 1-0 loss to KwaZulu Natal rivals Golden Arrows last weekend and, will as a result, be hoping to return to winning ways in their first home game of the 2019/20 campaign.

Highlands, meanwhile, went down 3-2 in a thrilling clash at home to Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday. Goals from Rodney Ramagalela and Peter Shalulile fired the Lions of the North in front soon after the interval in Tembisa, but the Amakhosi fought back to claim all three points.

Despite the loss at Sugar Xulu Ray Stadium, Maritzburg head coach Eric Tinkler was happy with the Team of Choice's performance and believes his squad deserved more from the game.

“Obviously there is disappointment about the loss [against Arrows],” he said, “but I am quite happy with the performance of the team, from what I saw.

"I thought we created the better chances. We definitely deserved more from the game.

“I need to take positives from the game, and I thought there were many," Tinkler concluded as his team sets their sights on Highlands.

Owen Da Gama was equally happy with his team's performance in a losing cause and believes the Lions of the North also deserved more against their opponents, Chiefs.

"First and foremost to lose from a deflection it's not easy," Da Gama said.

"I thought we played very very well in the first half. We could have consolidated. We did not. But I'm really proud of the boys. I mean first half, we played them off the pitch. Everyone could see that."

Highlands will be without the influential Mothobi Mvala once more due to suspension, after he received a red card in the second to last game of last season.

Star players to watch:

Maritzburg United

Siyanda Xulu: The towering defender has been one of the club's standout players since his move from Kaizer Chiefs two years ago. His experience will be key once more as the club aim to kick-start their campaign with victory over the Lions of the North.

Miguel Timm: The deep-lying midfielder will be key in filling the notable void left by Fortune Makaringe and Siphesihle Ndlovu, who both left the club at the end of last season. After a short spell in America, Timm no hopes to establish himself as a regular in South Africa's top-flight.

Highlands Park

Limbikani Mzava: Following three successful years at Golden Arrows, the Malawi international moved to Tembisa where he now hopes to take his game to a new level. Alongside the experienced Bevan Fransman, Mzava will have a chance to learn and grow as he aims to become one of the best defender's in the league.

Peter Shalulile: The Namibia international continued from where he left off last season by finding the back of the net in defeat to the Glamour Boys. Shalulile has a natural knack for goals and will be hoping to add to his tally this weekend.

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