4 December 2008

Stars to provide Maritzburg with a stern test

Maritzburg United have a difficult task ahead of them as they look to secure their second win in a row when they meet Free State Stars at the Goble Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

While United go into this game with confidence after their win over Bay United, Stars will be looking to make amends from their exit from the Telkom Cup at the hands of Ajax Cape Town with a league victory.

And it was in the same cup competition that Stars accounted for the Team of Choice with a 2-0 victory.

This should provide United with a timely reminder that they will need to be at their best to take anything from their trip to the Free State.

Diyo Sibisi scored both Ea Lla Koto’s goals in that game, and having scored a brace against Ajax last weekend, he is certain to provide another big threat to United’s defence.

The likes of Sthembiso Ncgobo, Paulus Masehe, Jimmy Kauleza and Prince Olomu are also players that need to be kept under wraps and it is imperative that Maritzburg’s defence concentrates fully for the 90 minutes – a clean sheet would at least ensure a point in what is a tricky away tie.

There is no reason however why United cannot get on the score-sheet themselves – Brice Aka is firing on all cylinders after his brace against Bay United, while the two week break since the last league game would have given Fadlu Davids further time to recover from his nose injury.

United are at present only seven points off the top of the log and with four games to go before the Christmas break, a couple of wins could propel them up to the league front-runners.

While United go into this game with confidence after their win over Bay United, Stars will be looking to make amends from their exit from the Telkom Cup at the hands of Ajax Cape Town with a league victory.

And it was in the same cup competition that Stars accounted for the Team of Choice with a 2-0 victory.

This should provide United with a timely reminder that they will need to be at their best to take anything from their trip to the Free State.

Diyo Sibisi scored both Ea Lla Koto’s goals in that game, and having scored a brace against Ajax last weekend, he is certain to provide another big threat to United’s defence.

The likes of Sthembiso Ncgobo, Paulus Masehe, Jimmy Kauleza and Prince Olomu are also players that need to be kept under wraps and it is imperative that Maritzburg’s defence concentrates fully for the 90 minutes – a clean sheet would at least ensure a point in what is a tricky away tie.

There is no reason however why United cannot get on the score-sheet themselves – Brice Aka is firing on all cylinders after his brace against Bay United, while the two week break since the last league game would have given Fadlu Davids further time to recover from his nose injury.

United are at present only seven points off the top of the log and with four games to go before the Christmas break, a couple of wins could propel them up to the league front-runners.

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