DURBAN - Days before Maritzburg United open their season in the MTN8 competition this weekend, the club received a financial boost with confirmation of a new three-year multi-million rand deal with the Msunduzi Municipality.
The Team of Choice will pocket R9m per year from their municipality to continue adding value to the city through their PSL status and grassroots development programmes in partnership with local government. It is lower than the previous arrangement which saw Maritzburg receive R12m annually.
Chairman Farook Kadodia said the club would have to continue battling to cover the shortfall of about R6-million to run their top flight operation.
“We have accepted this figure as we would have been shattered with nothing,” said Kadodia. “But we’ll continue to look for a title sponsor.”
Maritzburg, meanwhile, have selection issues ahead of their MTN8 Cup opener away to league runners-up Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.
They will be without imports Richard Ofori and Brian Onyango because of paperwork issues, while Siyanda Xulu and Liam Youlley are below the required fitness levels following their recent arrival from Kaizer Chiefs and Australia respectively.