Sibisi, who ended last campaign with 10 league goals, will be vital to the team’s cause this season, the club having fought hard to maintain his services.
“We are ready and well prepared,” he told the Maritzburg website. “We are waiting for Wits to come so we can get back to action and we are determined to get the three points because we know how important it is to do well at home, where we have good support.
“Wits play good football and last week they made it hard for Kaizer Chiefs, so we know we cannot take them lightly – we have to be at our best, and if we are I am confident we can get the three points.
Sibisi is looking forward to playing with one of the team’s latest arrivals – Prince Olomu.
“Prince is a great footballer, with skill and he’s easy to play with – we have formed a good understanding at training and I think if we play together this season we will bring quite a few goals for the side.”
The match will provide a test of brain-power for two of the league’s bright young coaches – Roger de Sa and Ian Palmer.
Maritzburg skipper Shu-aib Walters believes Palmer is the man to take the club to a more respectable position this season, following last season’s struggles with relegation.
“We have our own goals this season and Bidvest Wits is one of our first hurdles that we have to overcome. In my opinion, the coach Ian Palmer did well last season despite taking over the reins with only six games before the end of the season. Out of the possible 18 we managed to collect 11 points.
“Now that we are starting on zero points, what is good for the team is that, unlike last season, the coach started with the team during pre-season. The goal that he has put on us is to finish the season in the top eight,” said Walters.
So who can United expect to face? The Wits squad that did duty in the 1-0 MTN8 loss to Chiefs was as follows: Baron; Mngomezulu, Spencer, Gumede (Batabaire 23’), Phungwayo, Fredericks (Haskins 78’), Sibande, Jayiya, Vilakazi (Mngomeni 67’), Myeni, Chapman
From this side there are several potential danger-men – including Myeni, Jawiya, Fredericks and Mngomeni.
