Maritzburg have a mountain to climb

A well-rested Maritzburg United are hoping to get their Absa Premiership campaign off the ground when they host leaders Bidvest Wits at Harry Gwala Stadium tomorrow evening.

Fadlu Davids’ side were the talk of the town towards the end of the last campaign but remain winless this season with a draw and two defeats in their three matches.

Wits, by contrast, have started well with four wins and a defeat in five games. Maritzburg have however had a whole month to regroup as their last match was a goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs on August 17.

The prolonged break has helped some of the players to recover from their injuries. Among those is former Wits defender Nazeer Allie (above).

“It’s difficult sometimes in football. Sometimes you just need that first victory to get the confidence. Hopefully this Saturday we can get that and kick-start our season,” said Allie.

“It will be a tough game, so we will have to be at our best to get the win,” added the 32-year-old. If he plays, it will be the first time Allie comes up against the side he helped to their first Premiership title two years ago.

“I am used to it. I moved from Ajax (Cape Town) to Wits, so it doesn’t really matter for me,” he said. With his experience, he said he hopes to inspire the youngsters who form the core of the Team of Choice and bring a winning mentality to the team.

“I have played at different clubs, played different positions and what I can add to the squad is to try and bring that winning mentality. I just have to focus on getting into the team, work as hard as possible and hope the coach selects me,” he said.

Maritzburg will however be without Keagan Buchanan who suffered an injury in training just as he was getting into form at his new team after his ill-fated spell at Chiefs.

“I’m gutted! Just when I was getting back to my old self … but like I said – and proved it before – I will come back stronger,” wrote Buchanan on his Twitter page.