First take care of the bread-and-butter issues and then tackle the dessert. That’s the approach Maritzburg United have adopted as they aim to focus on league matters against Golden Arrows on Saturday (6pm) before considering next week's clash against their neighbours in the Nedbank Cup.
Playing the Absa Premiership match before the cup outing suits the KZN Midlands outfit perfectly, said Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia.
Having survived a brush with relegation last season, the Maritzburg boss is eager to see his team first secure vital league points before entertaining the cup.
If it was the other way round, they would risk potential injuries and suspensions to key players which could hamper their league aspirations. And without a league status there might not be any cup competition.
“The win against Free State Stars (their first in five outings) helped to release the pressure. Otherwise we might have fallen into the relegation bun fight again,” said Kadodia.
It was also a first win for coach Roger de Sa, who took charge mid-term. Coming ahead of this provincial derby against Arrows, the timing of the victory was perfect.
Confidence is at another level as the teams face off in a mid-table six-pointer.
“We need to show the same energy from the Stars game against Arrows. They fight until the end, as we saw in their last game (come-from-behind 2-2 draw at Chippa United). They have done very well and we have to respect them,” Kadodia added.
“There’s a one-point difference. In the first round we had to come from 2-0 down to draw with 10 men. The game had sparks of what we wanted. It doesn't mean we have to fight, but it’s a derby, so it’s a naturally charged game.”
This will be De Sa’s first provincial derby, so as far he’s concerned it’s another challenge offering three points.
“It’s a tough one. I know there have been some tough games (between the teams) in the past. There’ll be no difference this time again and I’m sure they’ll want to pummel us.
“They’ll come out flying as well and they’ll also want to achieve things, so it will be a very difficult game,” he said.
Maritzburg are pretty much at full strength, with striker Evans Rusike and winger Lebohang Maboe back to form with goals in the last outing.
The hosts will find it hard to contain the Maritzburg attack, especially without injured midfielders Kagisho Dikgacoi and Nkanyiso Cele, while Vuyani Ntanga is doubtful.
However, Arrows’ own frontline of Kudakwashe Mahachi, Knox Mutizwa, and Chiukepo Msowoya will ask plenty questions of Virgil Vries in the Maritzburg goal.
This will be the second derby of the day, following the Soweto clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates (3.30pm).
The Limpopo derby between Polokwane City and Baroka rounds off the weekend matches on Sunday (3.30).
Saturday Star