Derby sees Maritzburg chasing a much-needed win, while AmaZulu will be after bragging rights

THERE ARE few worse places in soccer than being stuck at the wrong end of the table.

But that is exactly the position Maritzburg United find themselves in a the moment.

Maritzburg are propping up the PSL table with a measly 14 points from 21 games, and it is vital for the Team of Choice to bag three points when they meet AmaZulu in the KZN derby on Friday night.

To add even tension to the occasion, both clubs will be aiming to bounce back from away defeats. Usuthu suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss to Orlando Pirates this past weekend, while United were dispatched 3-2 by Cape Town City at Athlone.

AmaZulu are also still trying to run away from the relegation pack. They have amassed 23 points from 21 games, and only four points separate Usuthu and the second from the bottom of the table, Free State Stars, who are on 19 points after 20 matches.

The derby promises to be a mouthwatering clash of footballing styles. Maritzburg are yet to triumph in a derby this season, and suffered defeats against Golden Arrows and shared the spoils with Usuthu.

They will be desperate to break that duck and register their second home victory. Eric Tinkler has lost two games and won one in his tenure.

Usuthu are still unbeaten in derby matches this season, and will be out to defend that impressive record. They played out to a 0-0 stalemate with Maritzburg United in Umlazi at the start of the season and went on to beat Arrows in the last game of the 2018.

It will be all about the bragging rights on Friday. DUSTIN JOHNSON was not only delighted to earn his 20th PGA Tour title at the WGC-Mexico Championship on Sunday, he was also pleased his swing was finally feeling close to that which earned him three straight wins heading into the 2017 Masters.

Johnson was a heavy favourite going into Augusta that year, but never got the chance to play for the green jacket after hurting his back falling down stairs on the eve of the tournament. After his five-shot victory at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City on Sunday, Johnson said if he could maintain his swing it would be a successful season.

“I (watched) some video of me at the Masters right before I got hurt and the swing feels as close to that as it has since then,” he told Golf Channel.

“So if I can swing it like I am right now, and keep the putter rolling like I did this week, it’s going to be a good year.”

Despite winning the European Tour’s Saudi International three weeks ago, Johnson was not firing on all cylinders when he arrived in Mexico City, but a little tweak to his set-up worked wonders.

“I felt really comfortable over the ball from Thursday on,” he said.

“I found something in the game, it was just a little set-up issue.

“I was way too far from the ball and as soon as I fixed my set-up it all clicked and it worked well this week.”

With his latest success, Johnson became the 38th player with 20 or more PGA Tour victories.

His 20 wins earn a lifetime PGA Tour exemption. |