Full-strength Team of Choice vie for top eight position
AFTER two matches for new coach Roger de Sa, followed by a 10-day break, Maritzburg United will expect to be in a better position to reclaim an Absa Premiership top eight spot when they visit Supersport United in Pretoria tonight.
The squad enjoys better health after striker Andrea Fileccia recovered from injury, and there’s greater depth with midfielder Kurt Lentjies and defender Bevan Fransman back from suspension.
The break would have been equally useful, because it offered De Sa time to digest the draw (at Polokwane City) and a loss (against Kaizer Chiefs) in his first two matches in charge.
The performances in those outings left De Sa feeling that certain players could add more value, and as a team there was room for improvement in “match management”.
“It’s good to have Kurt back, and Fileccia as well. At
least it gives us a few more options. (Defender) Themba (Shabalala) is also back in the team, which is good,” said the coach.
Only Kenyan defender Brian Onyango is out suspended. De Sa used the break to work on improving their “attacking
threats and delivery of set pieces”, areas where Zimbabwean striker Evans Rusike and winger Deolin Mekoa’s contributions will be important tonight.
During their inactivity the Team of Choice saw Golden Arrows move further away, and they were overtaken by Chippa United. At least a draw will lift the capital city outfit back into the top half, at the expense of Chippa.
While Maritzburg went through video analysis sessions to tweak various aspects of their game, Supersport kept sharp with continental action. They overcame Madagascan opposition Elgeco Plus to advance to the second stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
In between their home and away matches they squeezed a point from a goalless draw at Free State Stars to stay in fourth place. Supersport will climb to second position with a win, provided Bidvest Wits fail to beat Baroka FC in tonight’s other game.
Stuart Baxter’s outfit is further buoyed by the return to duty of Tefu Mashamaite, Ronwen Williams, Fagrie Lakay and Keegan Ritchie, who recovered from various injuries.
Kiwi striker Jeremy Brockie is back for the home side after a quiet first half of the season. He scored in the CAF outing at the weekend and joined Thabo Mnyamane on five goals.
Supersport will ask plenty of questions of Maritzburg’s altered backline. In Onyango’s absence, Fransman and Shabalala are likely to feature in central defence.