MARITZBURG RESERVES PLOT FOR NEW SEASON
3 September 2021
Maritzburg United Reserve Team head Peter Petersen believes they are as ready as they can be for the new DStv Diski Challenge season that gets underway next week.
The disruptions caused by Covid-19 has meant that this structure of South African football has hardly been able to achieve any consistency in the last two terms, but teams are now optimistic of a much smoother 2021/22.
The Team of Choice narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot last season after changes were made to the calendar at the last minute.
Coach Peter is looking forward to another good campaign this time around.
“Prep has been good, stop-start at times, but good in the main as we rebuild,” he said. “I think we’ve assembled a decent young squad and they’re working hard.
“They want to take the next step into the first team, so that makes our job a bit easier. They’re very motivated and I think we’re on the right track.”
Maritzburg were led by star attacker Asanda Buthelezi last season after his five goals gave them a shot at ending in the play-offs. That motivated the players last year, having a player in good scoring touch, but this time the first team Head Coach Ernst Middendorp appears to be inspiring the youngsters.
“Ever since the Head Coach of the club (coach Ernst) has come in, he’s changed everything for the boys,” Coach Peter explained. “I think we have 12 youngsters training with the first team at the moment, with others who are in school, coming in and out, which is good.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to be exposed at a different level and it’s good for them to be training alongside those senior PSL figures in that main team.”
As they now plot their way into the 2021/22 term, Coach Peter outlined what his main objectives are.
He added: “We’re all looking forward to it, hopefully it will be a full season this time around. We’re on the right track and looking forward to it.
“Our target is to always get as many boys as possible into that PSL team and it won’t be any different this time. We want to see these players progress and what better way can there be than breaking through into the big league.”
Fixtures for the first few rounds will be released next week.
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