Durban - From making the top eight for the first time one season to surviving on the final day of the next marked a massive decline for Maritzburg United. Identifying the problems and finding the right solutions was a task they began immediately after they retained their PSL status.
Little surprise then that the Team of Choice wrapped up negotiations to retain coach Ernst Middendorp and completed their transfer shopping very early into pre-season. That recruitment involved no loan deals, whereas last season they acquired central defenders Kwanda Mngonyama and Tamsanqa Teyise on loan agreements from Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United respectively a few days before kick-off.
Throw in newbie Kenyan defender Brian Onyango, and Maritzburg had an untested central defensive unit which lacked leadership qualities and was short on game time. Now with all players signed outright there will be no question marks over players’ commitment.
The bulk of the newcomers are defensive players, but with a fair amount of experience, such as Bryce Moon, Bevan Fransman and Themba Tshabalala. All except Moon played under Middendorp, which means the German coach shouldn’t struggle to whip this new-look backline into shape. However Maritzburg intend to retain the attacking impetus from last season, said chairman Farook Kadodia. The club management discovered that despite their brush with relegation, and winning only twice at home, the supporters enjoyed the attacking brand of play. “The brand will continue because it is football entertainment that brings the fans to the stadium,” said Kadodia.
“We intend to produce a bouquet of entertainment to grow the crowd from the average figure of 6 000 that we had last season.” Marrying the attacking approach with the need to defend is where Middendorp’s tactical and analytical precision comes through. This is his third spell with the Team of Choice, but it heralds a significant change in that the team will play a more expansive game. The German ran with the attacking plan and it paid dividends when they survived. With some tinkering in central defence and fine-tuning their defensive midfield play, Maritzburg can expect to have a smoother ride this time out.
Analysis
Three head coaches saw out the relegation rumble as Maritzburg United beat Jomo Cosmos on the final day of last season to send the latter down. German coach Middendorp, who completed the season for his third spell in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, was retained.
Equally important was Maritzburg’s ability to reject transfer offers for captain Kurt Lentjies, Olympic team winger Deolin Mekoa and striker Evans Rusike, which lends the squad consistency and continuity in attack. However going forward was the least of Maritzburg’s malaise. Their tally of 35 goals was the ninth highest in the league. Defence was the Achilles heel.
Their 53 goals conceded was the worst in the league by a long way - next worst was Polokwane City who let in 44.
Clearly the challenge for Middendorp and goalie coach Arthur Bartman will be to plug the gaps in midfield and defence. That area was already a work in progress after Middendorp arrived, bringing in defender Tumelo Mogapi from Bloemfontein Celtic in the January window period. It will intensify with the additions of veteran defenders Moon and Fransman. Young goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle, another player Middendorp worked with at Celtic, will provide competition for Virgil Vries.
Key man: Bevan fransman
Veteran defender Fransman will be a pivotal figure in stabilising Maritzburg’s defence following last season’s battle against the drop. The 32-year-old former international’s leadership experience will prove especially useful in what will be a new-look backline, following the departures of Mngonyama, David Booysen, Teyise and Thamsanqa Mkhize. Communication and leadership issues hampered Maritzburg in the heart of defence, where this season Fransman will likely be partnered by Kenyan international Brian Onyango.
Another factor that makes Fransman a key signing is that it will be the third time he joins coach Ernst Middendorp. The pair worked together at Kaizer Chiefs and more recently at Bloemfontein Celtic. Fransman will effectively serve as the coach’s voice on the field. His big club experience with Chiefs and Supersport United as well as clubs in Belgium and Israel will augur well for a relatively youthful outfit. And if he assumes the captain’s armband it will relieve playmaker Kurt Lentjies of that responsibility.
New signings
Siphesihle Ndlovu, Mondli Dlamini, Tsepeletso Motjatji, Bryce Moon, Andrea Fillecia, Themba Shabalala, Bevan Fransman, Denis Weidlich, Lebohang Mabe, Luyanda Ntshangase, Devon Saal, Bongani Mpandle, Blessing Moyo
Last five years
2011/12 11th 2012/13 11th 2013/14 10th 2014/15 eighth 2015/16 14th
The Star