Maritzburg praised after surviving drop

Maritzburg United chair Farook Kadodia has thanked everyone associated with the club for the “huge sacrifice” they made to ensure they survived relegation from the money-spinning Premier Soccer League (PSL) to the National First Division (NFD).

Kadodia’s team retained their PSL status on Wednesday via the much-maligned PSL relegation promotion play-offs by winning their first three of four matches.

The Team of Choice will now face Limpopo-based NFD side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday.

Eric Tinkler’s team beat Royal Eagles 1-0 at home‚ TTM 2-0 away and confirmed their stay in the PSL with a convincing 2-0 return leg victory against Eagles at the Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday.

“I must say God Almighty has been with us‚” said Kadodia of their survival amid scenes of jubilation after Wednesday’s match when Siphesihle Ndlovu and Thabiso Kutumela’s goals sealed their stay in the PSL.

“I must thank all the staff‚ the technical team and the players. It has been a huge sacrifice for everyone at the club. When you’re in this situation it is difficult. We were like dead three times in the season, but we survived in the end.”

Kadodia said the club would like to see Tinkler continuing with his job at the club after joining them towards the end of the campaign with relegation staring them in the face.

“Of course, Eric has got the best out of players,” he said.