High-flying Swallows look to soar past United

Swallows FC will be aiming to build on their strong start to the 2020-21 DStv Premiership season when they host bottom-placed Maritzburg United at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT.

Swallows stretched their unbeaten start to the campaign to six matches with a 1-1 draw at Golden Arrows on 5 December, with Zaphaniah Mbokoma scoring for the Soweto side. The Birds have claimed seven points from three home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in late November.

Brandon Truter scooped the October/November Coach of the Month award as a result of the club's fast start following promotion from the GladAfrica Championship last season. The Swallows coach is confident that he won't fall victim to the curse that has previously befallen winners of the accolade.

"I got reminded of the curse of the coach of the month shortly after I received the award. My phone has not stopped ringing as people are telling me to be careful about experiencing a free-fall after winning this award," said Truter. "But I keep on telling them that I have a plan and would not suffer a similar fate.

"We spoke at length with the boys and agreed that all eyes would be on us from now on. We are mentally strong, and I want to break the curse and go on to win another one and become a hard-to-beat coach. .

"The next game is the most important, and we have to keep our feet on the ground and avoid getting carried away," he concluded.

Maritzburg claimed their first point of the league season when they held champions and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 at home on 5 December, with Kwanda Mngonyama scoring their equalising goal. The Team of Choice has lost all three of their away matches this season, going down on the road at the hands of Baroka FC, Chippa United and Black Leopards.

Ernst Middendorp was roped in as head coach of the club last month following their poor start to the campaign and the former Kaizer Chiefs boss, who came so close to winning the league with the Soweto giants last season, relishes the challenge ahead.

“It’s a long process. I said it already, this project won’t end in December or January ... to get in a safe area it’ll take time. We must sort it out so that we’ll be in the PSL come May 2021 [the end of the current season],” said Middendorp.

“It’s challenging. It’s definitely something that I like. It’s possible to save the team from relegation.”

The teams last met in the Premiership in the 2014-15 season, with Swallows completing a league ‘double’ thanks to a 2-1 win in Pietermaritzburg in November 2014 and a 1-0 triumph in the return game in Soweto in May 2015.

Players to watch:

Swallows FC

Ruzaigh Gamildien: The Swallows forward has started every game for the club this season and plays an important part in leading the line for the Soweto club. He not only has the ability to create chances for himself but sets up opportunities for those around him.

Tlakusani Mthethwa: The hard-running midfielder has played every minute for Swallows this season, highlighting his importance to the Dube Birds. Mthethwa plays a key role in breaking down opposition attacks and will be aiming to impress once more in the middle of the park.

Maritzburg United

Nazeer Allie: The veteran defender will play an integral part in motivating those around him as Maritzburg aim to bounce back from a dismal start. Allie has been a dependable defender in South Africa's top-flight for 15 years now and Middendorp will lean on him in the coming weeks.

Judas Moseamedi: Maritzburg need to start scoring goals and in Moseamedi and Thabiso Kutumela they have the available resources. Moseamedi has yet to score this season and will be desperate to break his drought before the turn of the new year.