Maritzburg eye their chance against Downs

SANDWICHED between two of Mamelodi Sundowns’ semifinals, Maritzburg United will probably feel like they are in a knock-out competition themselves when they host the defending Absa Premiership champions at the Harry Gwala Stadium tonight.

This will be Sundowns’ second game of a three-match schedule in seven days. Before arriving in the Midlands the Brazilians squeezed a goalless draw from their MTN8 semifinal first-leg tie with Chippa United in Port Elizabeth. After Maritzburg they jet to Zambia

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for their African Champions League semi-final first-leg game against Zesco United on Saturday.

There won’t be cup fever hype in Maritzburg, but for some there will be more than pride and points to play for. The clash reunites Sundowns with some of their former players. Most recent to swop allegiance is defender Kwanda Mngonyama. Veterans Kurt Lentjies and Bryce Moon had long cut their ties with the Pretoria side. Mngonyama joined Maritzburg on transfer deadline day, having spent the past two seasons on loan with the Team of Choice.

The under-23 international may feel he was not afforded a fair opportunity to progress into the Sundowns first team. How he channels those emotions to benefit his new club will be influenced by defender Moon and attacker Lentjies, both over 30 and among the core of experienced personnel who will help transform Maritzburg from the battlers of last season to top-eight contenders.

As much as Sundowns are in the cup wars, clashes against up-country giants represent “finals” of sorts for an outfit such as Maritzburg. The stadium is expected to be close to full capacity for Maritzburg’s first home game as well as Sundowns’ opening league game.

Sundowns’ CAF assignments saw them miss the opening round, while Maritzburg stunned Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 away in their opener three weeks ago. That result alone would have restored the Maritzburg supporters’ confidence after their team’s escape from relegation last season.

Fatigue, injuries and squad rotation are matters only Sundowns have had to contend with – new defender Anele Ngcongca and Colombian striker Leonardo Castro are injured. In contrast, Maritzburg and the rest used the time to plot and plan.

It will be a mix-and-match team from Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane, with newcomers like Ivorian striker Yannick Zakri, Thapelo Morena and Sibusiso Vilakazi.