"This week Wednesday we welcome the League Champions, Orlando Pirates, to the Harry Gwala Stadium, a venue I am hoping to become a very uncomfortable place to visit for opposing teams and a fortress for us. This is our 3 rd match of the Season and the first under floodlights here at home.

We go into the Pirates game on the back of two draws, against Wits here in our first league game last Sunday and Ajax in Cape Town last Wednesday. While it has been a solid if not spectacular start to the season, I feel that we should have got more out of both these games with the chances that we created.

We have been working quite hard on our finishing and tightening up at the back and I am confident that our first win is not too far away.

All the new signings are adjusting quite well to our set up and style of play. Francis Chansa pulled of some excellent saves against Ajax, while Prince and Michael and beginning to take control of the Midfield and I look forward to them getting better as the season progresses.

We also look to welcoming back Shu-aib and Kurt from Injury and both should be in contention for the Pirates game.

I urge all the supporters to keep up the noise and make it difficult for our visitors to leave Pietermaritzburg with any points. The Team are really up for the Pirates game and would like nothing better than taking the 3 points on offer and registering our first win of the season.

I look forward to your continuous support during the Season."

Ian Palmer
Head Coach
Maritzburg United


* TEAM NEWS:

Shuaib Walters was diagnosed with a chest infection last week Sunday (the day of the game vs Bidvest Wits). He has resumed training since last week Friday, and is available for selection for Wednesday’s game.

Kurt Lentjies has also resumed training. He had dislocated his toe in a tackle at training and will undergo a late fitness test to see if he is ready to play.

Orlando Pirates meanwhile have lost Daine Klate to injury.