Maritzburg boss sees MTN8 as a showcase for his talented side
FOR a change two KwaZulu-Natal sides will compete in the season-opening MTN8 cup competition when Golden Arrows visit defending champions Bidvest Wits tonight and Maritzburg United trek to Pretoria for a Sunday afternoon date with Mamelodi Sundowns.
The knockout competition which pits the top seed against the lowest is a winner-takes-all affair with R8 million going to the victors. It’s a tantalising prize, especially for the two lowest-seeded KZN outfits. Although no strangers to the event – Arrows won it in 2009 and Maritzburg featured in it the previous season – they seldom qualify for it and so would aim to make the most of the opportunity to showcase their brand to potential sponsors.
“As a club this tournament is a platform for us to be recognised, and to show we are not here to fight a relegation scrap every season,” said Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia. “Being at this level is a big difference to being in the relegation zone and finishing 10th.”
Sponsorless Maritzburg just this week confirmed they had negotiated a deal with the Msunduzi Municipality to receive financial support of R9 million each year for the next three years. The amount doesn’t cover their costs, said Kadodia, and therefore featuring in the MTN8 is vital to raising the value of their brand.
The last time they appeared in this cup Maritzburg avoided relegation on the final day of the season. Since then two coaches have parted with the Midlands club, although in Fadlu Davids there’s continuity after the former assistant coach was appointed full-time for his first senior coaching post.
The former club captain and striker has a stable foundation to build on, although Maritzburg are still searching for a replacement for playmaker Kurt Lentjies, who left to join Chippa United. The club is set to release Zimbabwean midfielder Blessing Moyo to create space for a foreign playmaker, said Kadodia.
Visa delays means the targeted player has yet to arrive for a final assessment. However Davids will go to Pretoria with one player who has much to prove. Ex-Sundowns defender Siyanda Xulu will enjoy running out in familiar territory, especially after two years of inactivity at Kaizer Chiefs. With regular central defender, Kenyan Brian Onyango, sidelined with permanent residence application matters, Xulu could come into the selection frame.
“He has had no pre-season so he’s on an individual periodisation programme to reach the same level as the team, but Siyanda will be part of the team and he is available for selection,” said Davids.
Arrows, who squeaked into the competition by finishing eighth last term, enjoy better continuity than their neighbours. Coach Clinton Larsen continues in his role with a squad that has not lost any key figures. Instead they managed to retain Zimbabwean pair, attacking midfielder Kudakwashe Mahachi and striker Knox Mutizwa.
The latter goes up against his old club after the Students agreed to sell him outright to Abafana Bes’thende following his successful loan period in Durban.