After victories in back-to-back matches in the their last two matches against SuperSport United and Golden Arrows, it appears Maritzburg United are now well clear of the relegation dogfight.
In fact, in the last 10 PSL seasons the average points total teams who've finished inside the relegation zone is 28.2. United currently have 30 points from 25 matches played. This seems to suggest United are all but mathematically clear of being drawn back down into trouble.
It also suggests that Steve Komphela has worked wonders since arriving at the club in January. His mandate was to help the Team of Choice escape the relegation zone, and it seems he's achieved that goal with five games to go.
The club also appears to have a good chance of advancing to the semi-finals of the Nedbank cup as well. The Pietermaritzburg-based outfit take on mid-table National First Division outfit, African Warriors, on Saturday (April 12) in the quarterfinals.
Nonetheless, Maritzburg's in-form forward, Orlando Smeekes, has suggested the club may set some new targets now that safety from relegation has been achieved. This could mean United may rest some player's ahead of their league clash with Polokwane City on Wednesday (April 9).
The speedy hitman said, “We’re playing Polokwane in our next game but I think we’re safe. We have 30 points now. Look, I spoke this morning with the coach and he asked me how I feel. I said I’m alright but he just wants to see there’s not too much workload. It’s because on Saturday we play African Warriors in the cup. So, we have to decide which is important – either the league or the Nedbank. We have to set ourselves new targets now.”
Wednesday's action gets underway from 19h30 at the Pietersburg Stadium in Polokwane.
