STRUGGLING Maritzburg United must be wishing 2016 would just end already.
This year hasn’t been kind to the Team of Choice, who were relegation candidates the whole of last season and only managed to survive the drop on the last day of 2015-16 on 21 May, when they beat Jomo Cosmos 3-1 to remain in the Absa Premiership.
United have so far played 29 league matches in 2016. A total of 17 were played last season and 12 this season.
Of those 29 games they have managed to win only eight – five last season and three games this season.
Maahier Davids, who assists his brother Fadlu as interim co-coach at United, admits that this year has been tough on them.
But after winning their most recent match against Baroka FC 1-0 on Sunday, they were looking to end on a high note, he added.
Said Davids: “Players are highly motivated after that win. Honestly, though, they have always been motivated, it’s just that good results have been hard to come by.
“We have three more matches to play before 2016 ends. This year has been really horrible for us but we aim to end it positively. We are looking to win all our remaining matches.”
The Team of Choice will host Orlando Pirates in their next match at Harry Gwala Stadium next Tuesday. They play Platinum Stars away on 17 December and three days later host Bidvest Wits in what will be their final match of 2016.
Davids added that they would be looking to continue where they left off against Baroka when they host the inconsistent Buccaneers.
“We haven’t won a single game at home this season and that has to end. All our wins have been on the road. But we are not too concerned about it.
“We know we are playing well, it’s just a matter of time before the first win at home comes. In our last two matches we collected four points and we hope that will help us against Pirates, Platinum Stars and Wits,” added Davids.
The Team of Choice have a good record against Pirates. Last season they managed to collect two points against them.
The first match ended 3-3 in Pietermaritzburg and the second was a goalless draw at Orlando Stadium.
