MARITZBURG VS STELLENBOSCH: ROUND THREE!
26 February 2020
On Friday night at the Harry Gwala Stadium the Team of Choice will square up to Stellenbosch FC for the third time this season.
Friday’s Absa Premiership encounter in the KwaZulu-Natal Capital City is set for an 8pm kick off.
In Maritzburg’s two previous games against Stellenbosch, they played to a 0-0 league draw in Cape Town and then just a few weeks back, there was a 2-2 draw in the Nedbank Cup, with United going on to win on penalties in Athlone.
Now back on home turf, Maritzburg are determined to win outright against the Cape side.
Head coach Eric Tinkler did however sound a word of caution that Stellenbosch are on the up.
“They’re not the same team we played in the first round. That was a game we should have won fairly comfortably in my opinion.
“But they’ve made a lot of new signings and those signings have brought quality to the team and they’ve achieved fantastic results. So it’s going to be a very, very tough match.”
In terms of league form, both clubs have been doing well: the Team of Choice have won three and drawn one of their last five matches, while Stellenbosch have won four of their last five.
In sixth position on the table, Maritzburg have 33 points, six points and three places above Steve Barker’s Stellenbosch side.
Meanwhile, new arrival Tebogo Tlolane has made a very positive impact in his short time at the KZN club, and can’t wait to get back home to the Harry Gwala Stadium after four consecutive away games.
Tlolane is feeling upbeat about the match this week and is looking forward to showing the Blue Army, the Maritzburg supporters, what he can do.
“It’s a big one, the coach has emphasised how big this game is. Actually how big the next three games are. We win all three games and we cement our top eight position,” he said.
“Before I came here, I had only seen a Friday night game in Pietermaritzburg on TV. My first game, against Cape Town City, I felt like I was playing in a derby, that’s how big it is,” Tlolane continued.
“All I want to do now is play on a Friday, because the atmosphere is electric. When you get the ball the fans are cheering you. I can’t wait to play, just to get on the pitch and get those three points that we want.”
Coach Eric also emphasised the importance of his men maintaining the focus and intensity which has served them so well this season. Front-man Judas Moseamedi says the players have taken this on board at the training pitch this week.
“We have to play the way we have been preparing. If we can play like we prepared in the week, nothing will stop us from collecting the three points,” he said.
Apart from getting a call-up to the provisional camp for the Olympic team, Moseamedi has been in the news quite a bit this season, for his goals, and especially for those he has scored against Kaizer Chiefs.
Asked if there was something special about playing against Chiefs, Moseamedi replied:
“No...you’ve just got to deliver on the pitch in every game...Maritzburg gave me an opportunity when no one wanted me, they believed in me and gave me the opportunity to come and play here and I did just that.
“...When I got a call from the chairman asking me to come this side I was happy to have the chance to revive my career.”
Tickets for Friday’s match are available at the official club shop in the Liberty Midlands Mall as well as club office at 397 Victoria Road.
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