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Chiefs begin silverware Hunt against Maritzburg

football16 October 2020 08:38| © Backpage TXT
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Kaizer Chiefs are set to lock horns with Maritzburg United in the 2020 MTN8 quarterfinal match at the FNB Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3 pm CAT.

Amakhosi will view this tournament as an opportunity to win some silverware with the Soweto giants enduring a five-year trophy drought.

The Glamour Boys remain the most decorated club in the history of the MTN8, having lifted a record 15 titles since its inception in 1972.

New Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt, who will be taking charge of his first competitive game as Amakhosi mentor, explained that strikers Leonardo Castro and Samir Nurkovic will be missing due to injuries.

“I came here and a lot of these players have been injured,’ Hunt said.

“Samir, the top goalscorer, has been injured and he won’t play. He’s had an operation, hasn’t trained a single day and I think he will be out for some time.

"Castro was obviously also injured before the end of the season. He also hasn’t trained much. I think those are the two major injuries."

Meanwhile, Maritzburg are still searching for their first-ever major trophy, having lost to Mamelodi Sundowns in last year's Telkom Knockout Cup final.

The Team of Choice are hoping to reach the MTN8 semifinals for the second time in the club's history, having defeated Sundowns in the 2017 edition in order to advance to the last four.

Eric Tinkler, the Maritzburg head coach, is wary of Hunt's side with the accomplished mentor having replaced Ernst Middendorop at Chiefs.

“It’s going to be an extremely different team. Gavin is a winner and he plays a particular brand of football that’s difficult to compete against," Tinkler said.

“I don’t think we can compare last season to the coming season. I think last season Chiefs were very good, particularly on the set-pieces and under Gavin that’s going to continue, if not get better.

“We need to play and prepare ourselves extremely hard because it’s going to be a tough battle. It’s always difficult to play against a team coached by Gavin Hunt.”

Kaizer Chiefs: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Siphelele Ntshangase: The attacking midfielder is most likely to start for the Soweto giants with Lebogang Manyama suspended. Ntshangase is blessed with an eye for a pass and the ability to consistently create opportunities.

Khama Billiat: The Zimbabwean international remains one of the best players in the country and a highly-rated versatile attacker. Billiat has the ability to single-handedly inspire the Soweto giants to a victory over the Team of Choice.

Maritzburg United: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Daylon Claasen: The attacking midfielder was one of the top performers in the country last season and was named PSL Player of the Month for February/March. Claasen, who netted five goals from midfield last season, could be key to a win over Chiefs.

Judas Moseamedi: The centre forward was nicknamed 'Chiefs Slayer' last season as he had a knack for scoring against the Soweto giants - scoring three times. Moseamedi will be keen to continue his scoring habit against Chiefs.

Kaizer Chiefs v Maritzburg United – Head-to-head

All cup results (since 2005/06)

Season Cup Result Scorers

2005/06 Coca-Cola, 1st rd Chiefs 2-1 Maritzburg Moshoeu, McCarthy;

Madubanya

2014/15 Telkom KO, last 16 Chiefs 1-0 Maritzburg Parker

2015/16 MTN8, qfinal Chiefs 5-3 Maritzburg Lebese 2, Parker, Xulu, Ekstein;

Lentjies, Teyise, Xulu (og)

2016/17 Telkom KO, last 16 Chiefs 0-0* Maritzburg

2019/20 Telkom KO, sfinal Chiefs 1-2 Maritzburg Sasman; Moseamedi 2

*After extra time, Chiefs won 4-2 on penalties

Cup competitions

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 5 3 1 1 9 6

Maritzburg 5 1 1 3 6 9

Last 10 league results

Season Result Scorers

2015/16 Maritzburg 1-1 Chiefs Lentjies (pen); Letsholonyane

2015/16 Chiefs 3-2 Maritzburg Katsande (pen), Abraw, Gordinho; Teyise, Rusike

2016/17 Chiefs 2-0 Maritzburg Gordinho, Twala

2016/17 Maritzburg 1-2 Chiefs Mokate; Katsande, Tshabalala

2017/18 Maritzburg 0-2 Chiefs Paez 2

2017/18 Chiefs 2-0 Maritzburg Paez, Zuma

2018/19 Maritzburg 0-0 Chiefs

2018/19 Chiefs 1-0 Maritzburg Zuma

2019/20 Maritzburg 1-1 Chiefs Moseamedi; Manyama

2019/20 Chiefs 1-2 Maritzburg Nurkovic; Claasen 2

All competitions (since 2005/06)

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 33 16 10 7 50 28

Maritzburg 33 7 10 16 28 50

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