Maritzburg out to take stranglehold on PSL playoffs

Maritzburg United will be aiming to take a huge step towards saving their top-flight status when they take on Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at Thohoyandou Stadium in Venda on Wednesday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 3:00pm CAT.

The Team of Choice got their Absa Premiership/ National First Division promotion-relegation playoffs campaign off to winning start at home to Royal Eagles this past weekend.

A solitary strike from Thabiso Kutumela proved the difference between the two sides at Harry Gwala Stadium, and victory in midweek will make the KZN outfit favourites to book their place in South Africa's top tier for the 2019/20 season.

"We are treating this as a cup competition, so we are treating the next match [against TTM] like it's a semifinal and then against Royal Eagles is the final. And if we win then we are safe and the last game won't matter," Tinkler said.

"The carrot I have dangled in front of the players is the fact that we can finish the job in the first three games and the fourth will not matter."

Tinkler continued: "I am very happy with the result [against Eagles]. I am happy we are in the play-offs because it gives us a chance. Now we have three points in the bag ahead of the game against TTM."

TTM head coach Moma Medic is hopeful that his side can bounce back from a 1-0 defeat away to Eagles in the playoffs opener. Strydom Wambi scored the only goal at Chatsworth Stadium in a game largely dominated by the Limpopo club.

"We deserved something from the game against Eagles. My players fought hard and we will try again [against Maritzburg]," said Medic.

"Hopefully the supporters will come out in their numbers at home to help us to victory."