Much at stake for Maritzburg United

Maritzburg will be looking to add more misery to Kaizer Chiefs' season when they face Amakhosi today. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

Maritzburg will be looking to add more misery to Kaizer Chiefs' season when they face Amakhosi today. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

Published Apr 28, 2018

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Martizburg United coach Fadlu Davids knows that maximum points against Kaizer Chiefs today will seal their place in next season’s Caf Confederation Cup.

United will battle it out for the third spot in the Absa Premiership against Amakhosi at FNB Stadium in Joburg this afternoon (3pm kick-off).

The Team of Choice are just one point ahead of Amakhosi in the log standings.

United are on 43 points while Amakhosi have collected 42.

“If we win the Kaizer Chiefs match it is confirmed that we will be playing in Africa next season,” Davids explained.

“Of course, if we lose against Chiefs because they are our direct opponents, it is going to go down to the last game (of the season). That’s what it is about now.”

Chiefs are struggling with form. They have lost their last two matches. They succumbed 2-0 to Free State Stars in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban last weekend.

And they were thumped 3-1 by Lamontville Golden Arrows in an Absa Premiership encounter at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.

“You saw when they went down to 10 men, how they came back with the goal (against Arrows when Leonardo Castro received the red card),” Davids elaborated.

“That is just a glimpse of the quality they have. We are putting in some new players because of suspensions. It is going to be a fight out there.

“We are playing away from home and let us not forget about that. FNB Stadium; it is a daunting task to go there. They are still Kaizer Chiefs. They have quality players in each position. We are preparing for a very tough game.”

Maritzburg coach Fadlu Davids, left, and Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane seen chatting on Wednesday. Photo: BackpagePix

United will be without the services of Richard Ofori and Siphesihle Ndlovu who are both suspended.

“Chiefs have never lost three games in a row,” Davids explained. “So let's be honest; they are definitely going to do everything in their power to make sure it doesn't happen against us.

“It is a unique situation they are in and those players are going to come with guns blazing to make sure they don’t lose three games in a row.”

Chiefs’ caretaker coach Patrick Mabedi isn't paying much attention to his side’s chances of finishing third, though. “We don’t want to put ourselves under pressure,” he said.

“What we need to do is go out there and do our job as professionals in a game we must win. Our focus is on beating Maritzburg United. That's all for now. And if the players show fight it can be a whole different ball game compared to our last two defeats.

“We have to make our supporters happy by winning this game against Maritzburg.”

@Minenhlecr7

Saturday Star

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