28 April 2009 

United want to secure PSL status ASAP

MARITZBURG United would like to be safe from relegation by the time they play their final Premier Soccer League game of the season against Thanda Royal Zulu in Hammarsdale on May 9.

Following Thanda’s 5-2 thrashing away to Ajax Cape Town at the weekend, United can establish a five-point lead over the third-to-last Durban-based team with a victory over Moroka Swallows at Woodburn Stadium on Saturday night (8 pm). United currently are two points ahead of Thanda, but with a game in hand.

Then if United can win a second game in succession in Pietermaritzburg next Wednesday (May 6) against Free State Stars, they will be out of reach of Thanda before meeting the Swedish-owned side in both teams’ final fixture.

“We don’t want to get drawn into a situation where it comes down to the last game,” United chairman Farouk Kadodia said yesterday.

“The coach and players have done a great job putting together a few wins to gain a cushion over the bottom teams, and now we need them to ram home that advantage,” he added.

United will miss the suspended duo of winger Fanyana Dhladhla and striker Collen Zimba against Swallows, who beat the PMB team 2-0 in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final in Germiston two weeks ago, and have since reached the final following their 2-1 semi-final victory over Black Leopards at the weekend.

But the Team of Choice will be confident of a better showing at Woodburn, where they have won six of their last nine home league games.

Kadodia urged fans to buy tickets early for the game, which follows the afternoon Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Ellis Park.

“The Soweto Derby starts at 4 pm and will end at 5.45 pm, and fans wishing to watch that game on TV then come to our match should have their tickets on hand already rather than having a rush for tickets at the kiosk outside the ground,” the club chairman said.

• Open stand tickets (R20) can be purchased at Shoprite/Computicket and grandstand tickets (R30) from SuperSave in Retief Street or the club offices at 397 Victoria Road.

* Article courtesy of Marc Strydom and the Witness, edited by the MUFC website