Maritzburg hopeful of Polokwane win

MARITZBURG United are hoping to change their fortunes tonight against Polokwane City in an Absa Premiership showdown at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg at 8pm.

The Team of Choice have endured turbulent times at home this season in the league.

They are yet to get off the mark. Maritzburg have succumbed to defeats against Lamontville Golden Arrows, Baroka FC and Free State Stars.

They have shared the spoils with Kaizer Chiefs, Bidvest Wits, Cape Town City, Highlands Park, Chippa United and Black Leopards.

New captain, Brian Onyango,

is confident of inspiring the Team of Choice to secure maximum points at home.

“In life you need to have hope and faith. We still have faith that we will pull it off. The belief is there. The coach brought in the freedom amongst us as players. He told us that we must enjoy in the field of play. I believe that we will get three points,” Onyango said.

Maritzburg are at the bottom of the table with 11 points after 19 games. They need to turn things around or their chances of avoiding relegation will dwindle away.

“The Polokwane City game is a very tough match. We are aware of what to expect. They are no push overs. That’s why we are working hard,” he added.

Maritzburg have only registered one victory in the league this season. They have gone three months without a victory.

“We won’t get relegated. We will work hard to make sure that we keep our status in the top flight,” Onyango said.

The last time Maritzburg tasted victory in the league was in September against Bloemfontein Celtic. Maritzburg haven’t won since then in the league.

They have suffered seven defeats on the trot across all the competitions.

Coach at Maritzburg, Eric Tinkler, made it clear that he doesn’t want to talk about the number of points they are targeting to survive relegation because their focus is to close the gap between themselves and other relegation candidates.

“Two good results or two bad results changes your fate. We even saw that last season. It is very tight there at the bottom.

“Right now, we’ve got to make sure that we close that gap as soon as possible. I’m not going to target points.

“That will be a biggest mistake. I think what we need to do is to close that gap.

“We play Friday (today) and get the three points and we are two behind those ahead of us. The harsh reality is that they start feeling that pressure themselves.

“You understand what I’m saying. If we can win two games in a row, you can make up that five points quickly.

“That’s got to be the objective. Make sure that we close that gap. We must get closer to Chippa United and Free State Stars,” Tinkler said.