Pressure mounts as ABSA Premier League slowly draws to an end

A KwaZulu-Natal derby between Maritzburg United and AmaZulu will kick off this weekend’s round of ABSA premier league games on Friday.

AmaZulu, who won their last KwaZulu-Natal derby against Golden Arrows are amped to make it a derby double with a victory over Maritzburg United, who are currently sixth on the ABSA premier league log standings.

Cavin Johnson’s AmaZulu have their tails up after four wins and two draws in their last six outings. Further motivation for uSuthu is the knowledge that a victory over their rivals will guarantee them a chance to leapfrog them on the log and occupy sixth spot which is currently held by Maritzburg who will fall down to seventh position.

“It will be another KwaZulu-Natal Derby and we want to win the match, and grab the bragging rights,” said AmaZulu’s versatile midfielder Jabulani Ncobeni on the club’s website.

“The coach [Cavin Johnson] has been doing a great job hence the team is doing well again. We are now looking forward to facing Maritzburg,” added the 25-year-old.

Meanwhile, if the Team of Choice manage to get all three points from the match they will move up to fourth place ahead of Kaizer Chiefs on goal difference with the later still having a game in hand as they only take to the field in Saturday’s much anticipated game against an impressive Benni McCarthy led Cape Town City.

The Team of Choice’ right wing Deolin Mekoa said Maritzburg players are determined to set the record straight after Usuthu frustrated them in the first round encounter referring to the sides one-all draw in November

“We’ve got players coming back from suspension and we’re playing at home at the Harry Gwala Stadium, so it’s going be a good night of football,” said Mekoa.

The match will kick off at 8pm at Maritzburg’s Harry Gwala stadium.

The Premier Soccer League has however confirmed that Polokwane City’s game against Bloemfontein Celtic which was scheduled to take place this weekend has been postponed following the tragic passing of their defender Mogau Tshehla.

Other match-day 21 out of 30 games:

Baroka FC vs Chippa United Saturday 3.30pm

Golden Arrows vs Bidvest Wits, Saturday 3.30pm

Kaizer Chiefs vs Cape Town City, Saturday 3.30pm

Platinuma Stars vs SuperSport United, Tuesday 7.30pm

Mamelodi Sundown vs Free State Stars, Wednesday 7.30pm