Gallants and Maritzburg set for relegation scrap

Three crucial points will be up for grabs when Marumo Gallants and Maritzburg United go head to head in a bottom-of-the-table clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Dan Malesela went unbeaten in his first two games back at the helm after deciding to quit Royal AM in October but Gallants remain in trouble following back-to-back defeats against SuperSport United and Sekhukhune United most recently.

The 3-2 loss to Babina Noko on Tuesday left Bahlabane Ba Ntwa just two points clear of rock-bottom Maritzburg in 14th position and Malesela questioned the standard of officiating in the top tier of South African football in the wake of another disappointing result for his team.

"The pain is not about us losing matches, we will bounce back, it is about what is being done to the PSL," he said. "I coached in the then Vodacom League. Today was as bad as that, I would never have imagined things to be like this at any given time in the PSL.

"I care about South African football, a lot. I wish to see us grow and progress but when things come to a point where a game is not controlled by players, then we are in trouble. Our national team will just remain the same."

The Team of Choice also have a new man in charge after Fadlu Davids was appointed John Maduka's successor last month.

Maduka was shown the door during the World Cup break following a dismal start to the season, which saw the KZN outfit win just two of their opening 13 fixtures.

Davids' tenure began with a 2-1 defeat to TS Galaxy last Friday and he has since moved to bolster his frail defence with the acquisition of former Stellenbosch centre-back Rafiq De Goede.

"I am really excited to join the Team of Choice," De Goede told the club's official website. "I have settled well in the team and coach Fadlu and the players have welcomed me with open arms.

"My main priority is to assist the team to get back to the winning ways."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Marumo Gallants:

Ranga Chivaviro: The off-season signing from Venda Football Academy was handed his first start of the campaign against Sekhukhune and looked lively throughout, forcing a save out of Toaster Nsabata in the first half before failing to hit the target twice in the second stanza. Chivaviro opened his account with a brace against Cape Town City just prior to the six-week recess and is hoping to add to his five appearances this weekend.

Sibusiso Sibeko: The 27-year-old winger stepped off the bench to break his duck for the campaign with a fine header against Babina Noko late on and will be pushing for a recall to the starting line-up when Maritzburg arrive in Mbombela. Sibeko has made nine appearances in the league, six of which were starts.

Maritzburg United:

Wayde Jooste: The 31-year-old former Orlando Pirates man made his Maritzburg bow last Friday, featuring for 82 minutes before being replaced by Reagan van der Ross. Davids will be looking for Jooste's experience to rub off on the rest of the players as they attempt to kickstart the great escape.

Friday Samu: The 27-year-old Zambian forward is the club's joint-top scorer this season with two goals but he only made the bench against TS Galaxy and saw just eight minutes of action. Samu featured regularly under Maduka and now has to prove to Davids he is worthy of a place in the team.