Maritzburg United are looking for their first win in the DStv Premiership when they play hosts to Swallows FC at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday evening.
The Team of Choice will come into this fixture looking to bounce back after they suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday.
The Dube Birds, meanwhile, enter this encounter after clinching their first win of the season following their thrilling 3-2 victory over Cape Town City at the Dobsonville Stadium. Waseem Isaacs, Tshediso Patjie and Siboniso Mtshali cancelled out goals from Darwin González and Khanyisa Mayo in a cracking contest.
The defeat leavse Maritzburg down in 14th place while Swallows have moved up to sixth place with three points from two matches.
“It’s very important for us going into the game, it’s our home game,” Maritzburg head coach John Maduka said.
“We must make sure that we get the points that we need and we’ll try as much as possible to say this one is gone, we have to look forward to the coming one at home against Swallows and we strongly believe that we’ll be able to get the results that we need.”
When the two sides last met in the two-legged fixture in the DStv Premiership last season, nothing could separate Maritzburg and Swallows after both home and away legs ended in 1-1 draws, with both teams walking away with two points from a possible six.
Maduka will be boosted by having a fully fit squad for their next encounter with no injuries or suspensions to report, while Dylan Kerr will remain without the services of goalkeeper Virgil Vries, who continues to mend his way back to full fitness.
Bongani Sam will be eager to put his previous performance behind him and focus on the next match as he goes in search of his second goal in his third game for the Team of Choice.
Waseem Isaacs will be high in confidence and looking to add to his goal tally heading into the next match after scoring his first goal of the campaign in the Dube Bird’s win over Cape Town City.
Maritzburg United Form This Season:
DL
Swallows FC Form This Season:
LW