Kaizer Chiefs eager to begin resurgence against Maritzburg United

Kaizer Chiefs winger Happy Mashiane says that the players acknowledge their roll in the club’s slump this season and will look to get back on track against Maritzburg United.

Mashiane said that the players are aware that it has been their failures that have landed Kaizer Chiefs in the bottom half of the table.

Kaizer Chiefs need more from the players

Kaizer Chiefs have secured just one win in their last six DStv Premiership outings but were able to secure a 2-0 win over Petro Du Luanda in the Caf Champions League over the weekend.

“What we always say as players is that we’re the ones that put ourselves in this situation, so we have to fight very hard to take ourselves out of the very position we’ve put ourselves in,’’ Mashiane said.

“So, we need to work extra hard to climb up the log. It’s not a good thing that a big team like Kaizer Chiefs are 10th on the log. But we will take it one game at a time, starting by the Maritzburg game.’’

Both teams are desperate to grab the three points

Maritzburg United head into the match in 15th currently occupying the dreaded relegation playoff spot but they are unbeaten in their last three league matches and defeated Amakhosi when the two sides last met.

“We know that in the league they [Maritzburg] won at our home here at FNB Stadium‚ so it won’t be easy because you know that at Harry Gwala Stadium most teams don’t get out with maximum points,’’ Mashiane noted.

“Maritzburg don’t concede that much. They have a good team, they can play and most of the time if they play they dominate in terms of keeping the ball. They have speedy players, so it won’t be easy to take them on just like that.’’

Mashiane won’t celebrate a goal against Middendorp

Ernst Middendorp, coach of Kaizer Chiefs with Happy Mashiane during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 Kaizer Chiefs Training at the Chiefs Village, Johannesburg on the 02 May 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Mashiane suggested that out of respect for Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp, who led Kaizer Chiefs to second place last term, he would not celebrate if he got on the scoresheet in Sleepy Hollow.

“I have to respect‚ so if maybe I do score I won’t celebrate because he [Middendorp] is one of the coaches who gave me the platform,’’ Mashiane said.

Maritzburg United host Kaizer Chiefs at Harry Gwala Stadium in a DStv Premiership match that is set to kick off at 18:00 on Wednesday 10 March 2021.

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