Maritzburg staring down a gun barrel

MARITZBURG United do not have history on their side as they seek to avoid relegation this season. No club, having secured just 16 points from 24 matches in the Premier Soccer League, has gone on to survive.

Maritzburg will hope to start what would be the greatest of all escapes when they make the short trip to Lamontville Golden Arrows for a catch-up league clash tonight.

It is likely that the mark for survival this season could be between 27-30 points, which means The Team of Choice would need a minimum of another 11, or four wins, from their remaining six matches.

No team that has been bottom of the PSL after 24 matches has kept their top-flight status, showing the enormity of the task for Ernst Middendorp’s men.

Black Leopards came closest to turning their season around in spectacular fashion in the final few weeks of the campaign during the 2007-08 season.

They had just 15 points from 24 games and coming off a 4-0 loss at Santos, looked dead and buried.

But they then drew with Bloemfontein Celtic and Golden Arrows, and achieved victories over Bidvest Wits, Thanda Royal Zulu, Jomo Cosmos and Kaizer Chiefs in a stunning reversal of fortunes that almost belied belief.

It was only enough for 15th position though, which meant they entered the promotionrelegation playoffs where their luck ran out and they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Bay United in the semifinals.

Chippa United, who also had 16 points from 24 games in the 2012-13 season, also made the playoffs but did not survive.

Aside from Golden Arrows tonight, Maritzburg must still play Free State Stars (away), SuperSport United (home), Orlando Pirates (away), Ajax Cape Town (home) and, perhaps crucially, travel to Jomo Cosmos on the final day of the season.

Bottom sides in PSL after 24 matches in last 10 seasons: 2015-16 Maritzburg United (16 points) 2014-15 AmaZulu (20) – relegated 2013-14 Golden Arrows (13) – relegated 2012-13 Chippa United (16) – relegated (playoffs) 2011-12 Jomo Cosmos (16) – relegated 2010-11 Black Aces (12) – relegated 2009-10 Cosmos (19) – relegated 2008-09 Bay United (20) – relegated 2007-08 Black Leopards (15) – relegated (play-offs)

2006-07 Maritzburg United (19) – relegated