TEAM OF CHOICE SET FOR RIVETING MTN8 OPENER WITH CHIEFS
16 October 2020
It's winner takes all in Sunday afternoon's MTN8 quarter-final clash between Maritzburg United and Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium.
The game kicks off at 3pm. Maritzburg earned their spot in the competition with a seventh-placed finish last season while Amakhosi were edged into second position by Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chiefs have not been able to make signings due to their transfer ban, but did change coaches, with Gavin Hunt formerly of Bidvest Wits now in charge.
He is a coach who Maritzburg's man in charge, Eric Tinkler knows well from down the years. And coach Eric will know that his men will have to compete for every ball against a Hunt-inspired side.
"He has won leagues, he has won Cups, and players will be highly motivated to show their worth to Gavin,” coach Eric cautioned. “Gavin is a winner. He plays a particular brand of football that is difficult to compete against."
In terms of playing personnel, the Team of Choice have added to our squad with the signings of Sibusiso Hlubi, Jose Meza and Riyaaz Ismail.
Ismail is an up-and-coming defender, Hlubi an exciting winger, while the attack-minded Meza will bring plenty of experience.
“He is an intelligent footballer, so he fits perfectly into the way I want us to play,” said coach Eric. “When I heard about his availability I spoke to my chairman about the possibility of us getting him and a lot of credit needs to go to my chairman for managing to bring him here.”
United can draw confidence from last season's matches against Chiefs - a 2-1 away win in the Telkom Knockout in particular, as well as a 2-1 victory in the league and a 1-1 Premiership draw. Of the five goals last season against Amakhosi, three came from Judas Moseamedi and two from Daylon Claasen.
Both teams have players out through suspension: Kwanda Mngonyama for United, and both Lebogang Manyama and Willard Katsande for the Glamour Boys. Chiefs also have a couple of injured players including Samir Nurcovic and Leonardo Castro while Daniel Akpeyi and Erick Mathotho are also not available.
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