Kaizer Chiefs v Maritzburg United | 4 players to keep an eye on

Kaizer Chiefs will be aiming for their first home win of the 2020/21 DStv Premiership season when they welcome Maritzburg United to the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS TO OPEN CAF CAMPAIGN AWAY TO WYDAD ATHLETIC CLUB

Kick-off is at 17:00.

CHIEFS HAVEN’T WON IN SIX MATCHES

Chiefs, currently 13th in the standings, have gone six league matches in a row without a win.

Amakhosi have yet to win at home in the league this season, having recorded three draws and one defeat from four home matches.

MARITZBURG UNITED ARE BOTTOM OF THE LOG

Meanwhile, Maritzburg United are currently rooted to the bottom of the log with just five points to their name after nine matches.

In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Maritzburg United have met in 28 league matches since the 2005/06 campaign.

Amakhosi have claimed 13 wins compared to six for the Team of Choice, while nine matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has recorded nine wins, two draws and three defeats in 14 home matches in the rivalry.

Maritzburg took four points off Chiefs in the teams’ league meetings last season, with a 1-1 draw at Harry Gwala Stadium in December 2019 and a 2-1 win at the FNB Stadium in February 2020.

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS SEEK FIRST HOME WIN AS ERNST MIDDENDORP RETURNS TO FNB STADIUM

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kaizer Chiefs

Samir Nurkovic: The Serbian’s return will come as a huge boost to the Amakhosi as they aim to get their season on track. Nurkovic scored 13 goals and assisted a further six in 26 league matches last season, playing an important part in the club’s title challenge. Chiefs have only scored seven times this season and will need to be more ruthless in front of goal if they are to escape from the position they currently find themselves in.

Daniel Akpeyi: Gavin Hunt has shuffled between the Nigeria international and Itumeleng Khune this season, but having now featured in the club’s three most recent matches, it is likely that Akpeyi has established himself as the first choice for the time being. Costly defensive errors have played a huge role in Chiefs’ poor start to the season and the Soweto club now need stability in defence, starting in goal, if they are to end their woes.

Maritzburg United

Thabiso Kutumela: The Maritzburg forward finally broke his scoring drought with a brace as the club started 2021 with a much-needed win. The goals would’ve served as a huge confidence boost not only to Kutumela, but those alongside him as well and Middendorp will be looking to him to provide the required cutting edge. Kutumela has already scored at FNB Stadium this season, finding the back of the net in Maritzburg’s 2-1 MTN8 defeat to Chiefs in October.

Clayton Daniels: It came as a surprise to many that Daniels was let go by SuperSport United after having formed such an integral part of their team in recent seasons. Matsatsantsa’s loss is Maritzburg’s gain and the experienced defender wasted little time in getting stuck in, playing the full 90 in the club’s win over Celtic. His know-how will be key to Maritzburg’s cause.