Maritzburg United know the importance of their KZN derby battle against high-flying Royal AM after they dropped to 14th place after TS Galaxy’s win over Orlando Pirates.
The Pietermaritzburg side comes into this fixture with a five-match winless run, which included the KZN derby loss against AmaZulu FC.
Ernst Middendorp hopes the crowd of Harry Gwala will come in numbers to help push the side. The last time Maritzburg won a home game was before their supporters returned to the stadium, and that was against DStv Premiership Champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
“The game on the 23rd of April, it’s always a little bit of difficult challenge to overcome,” Middendorp told the media.
“11, 12 days without playing a game, without having a competitive match, but good, we are not the only ones, other teams have it too. And then of course, now it’s Wednesday and Saturday in four days, two games close, travelling to Stellenbosch but good we’re focused on the game that is here at home, hopefully, we have a huge crowd coming and supporting here in Pietermaritzburg and support Maritzburg Utd, I think if I’m not mistaken 6500 would be allowed, on the 50% given by the Premier Soccer League.
“In terms of Injuries, we have actually have Linda Bhengu and Phumlani Ntshangase out and I think they will not be available for us till the end of the season, both have a bigger problems, bigger issues, bigger challenges but we have to wait and take their time. Here there are some flue challenges three players I think it’s not a big deal basically they should be available for the game for selection on Wednesday.
“It’s not a big question mark, everybody is aware of the situation we need the points and we definitely have to put the right attitude and right fighting spirit for this game from the beginning.”
Maritzburg United will face Royal AM whom they lost to in the first round by 2-1. The KZN derby is set tp take place at Harry Stadium at 19h30.
ENGLISH iDiski Times Edition 51 – Josef Zinnbauer & Brandon Petersen
