After suffering a defeat in their opening DStv Premiership match of the 2022/23 season, Kaizer Chiefs will look to bounce back when they host Maritzburg United at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.
Kick off is at 7:30 CAT (SA, GMT +2).
Coach Arthur Zwane and his charges did not get the start they wanted in the opening weekend of the new league season, with Royal AM proving to be somewhat of a bogey side for the Glamour Boys.
With their 1-0 loss at the Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday, 6 August, Chiefs recorded their third straight loss against Thwihli Thwahla.
After the game, Zwane gave positive reviews of his side despite the loss and promised that, in time, Amakhosi will start winning games in a convincing manner.
“I'm telling you now, we’re rebuilding this team and we’re going to get it right,” Zwane said after the game, as per Times Live.
“We’re going to win some games and we’re going to win with flair and win much better. Even today (Saturday) we were a better team by far.
“We did everything in terms of creating goalscoring opportunities. The ball was not going to go in and that was the unfortunate part.
“I think the boys executed themselves very well in terms of taking more chances and if the goalkeeper could be the man-of-the-match it means we were unfortunate."
As for Maritzburg United, coach John Maduka and company welcomed Sekhukhune United to the Harry Gwala Stadium this past weekend.
Sekhukhune United proved to be a tough test for the Team of Choice and constantly had Maritzburg on the back foot throughout the encounter. In what was a timid performance from the home side, Brandon Theron managed to earn Maritzburg United a penalty late on in the tie.
While the effort was saved, Bongani Sam found himself in the right place at the right time to pounce on a loose ball in the area and saved a point for his team.
After the match, Maduka mentioned that Maritzburg started the game slowly and that factors such as tension and decision making contributed to his side getting punished.
"We didn’t start well in the game, we started slow,” Maduka said after the match.
"It’s our first game and it's expected because there’s tension. You know, the players are afraid to make mistakes and at the end of the day that’s when they make more mistakes.
"The decision making is also not right, maybe it's the first game in front of so many people but after that I think we were okay.
"W conceded a very soft goal, a goal we were not supposed to concede but it's one of those things in football. We must learn, you make mistakes here and you get punished, that’s exactly what happened.”
Chiefs have the advantage over Maritzburg in the head-to-head battle, picking up three wins against the Team of Choice in their last five outings.
Maritzburg’s last victory against Amakhosi was recorded on the 9th of January 2021, where they picked up a 2-0 win at the FNB Stadium. A single draw was played out during this time.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Kaizer Chiefs:
Reeve Frosler: In guarding the left-back position, Frosler could be a key player given Maritzburg’s exploits on the flank. Theron is known for pushing high up the pitch, and was one Maritzburg’s best players against Sekhukhune United. Therefore, Frosler could be in for a busy 90 minutes.
Khama Billiat:With Zwane seemingly on the lookout for a traditional centre forward, Billiat’s experience as a seasoned attacker will be key in the interim. On his day Billiat can be unplayable and against a shaky Maritzburg defence, the Zimbabwean could find openings.
Maritzburg United:
Brandon Theron: The right-back was a positive attacking outlet for his side against Sekhukhune United and contributed in getting their goal by winning the penalty kick. Theron plays as an attacking wingback and will be looking to deliver the ball inside the danger zone.
King Ndlovu:While he may have committed a telling error against Sekhukhune, Nldovu kept his side in the game with a number of top quality saves. The goalkeeper will no doubt be relied upon against a highly attacking Chiefs outfit.