We’re going to war – Maritzburg United promise TKO fire and fury

Mamelodi Sundowns start the Telkom Knockout Final as firm favourites but will face a hungry Maritzburg United in Durban.

The Team of Choice have never won a major trophy and would like nothing more than to upstage Pitso Mosimane’s stars.

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Keegan Buchanan insists United are hungry for success and called on his teammates to show they deserve silverware.

Maritzburg United choose to bring the fire

“It’s a chance for players to prove themselves‚ prove their worth and show that they deserve a trophy,” Buchanan told MaritzburgUnited.co.za

Buchanan dispelled any suggestion that Maritzburg United would freeze on the big stage, saying the team were ready for a war.

“I don’t think there will be any stage fright. I think there will be more excitement than anything else.

“We’re going to war.

“Both teams have quality players and quality coaches. So it’s all about who wants it more.

“We have the hunger of not having won a cup. There’s a reason why we went through fighting relegation last season to the final this season. I feel like come Saturday‚ we can just show that we want it more.”

In the semi-final, the Team of Choice stunned Kaizer Chiefs with their counterattacking game, and they are expected to deploy a similar approach in the final.

History beckons

Central defender and club captain Nazeer Allie said that the final would be won by the team that took their chances and wanted it more.

“It’s 50/ 50 on the day – it’s about who wants it more, who can come up with individual brilliance, who can take their chances,” Allie opined this week.

“Who is prepared to go that extra mile and put their bodies on the line.

“I want to be part of the history at Maritzburg United, so hopefully we can do that on Saturday.”

United coach Eric Tinkler said it was important that his team enjoyed the feeling of being in a final but also worked hard to ensure they are ready to push Sundowns hard for 120 minutes if necessary.

“For me it’s been important that the players enjoy the week leading up to the final, to celebrate it to a degree, because it’s been a hard road to get to the final. The sprit in training has been really good and hopefully they will come out on Saturday highly motivated to get the positive result.

“We know we are playing against, in my opinion one of the best teams on the African continent, extremely strong team, successful club, African champions.

“But we have to have the belief that we can turn them over. That’s very important for us. We have to know we are going in to a massive battle, and Mamelodi Sundowns are a team with a lot of very talented footballers,” Tinkler said.

“If we are well prepared tactically and are prepared to work hard for one another, then we stand a good chance, a great chance. But you’ve got to be prepared to work for 120 minutes, to be tactically disciplined….If you give them any little chance, you know you are going to get punished.”