Nedbank Cup Round of 32 - Preview
Maritzburg Utd v Thanda Royal Zulu FC
PIETERMARITZBURG, March 07 (Nedbank Cup) – Thanda Royal Zulu travel to Maritzburg United on Sunday not knowing what to expect from their Nedbank Cup round-of-32 meeting as both sides contemplate the bigger picture in the run-in to the season.
The pair are currently struggling in the Absa Premier League and face the prospect of relegation, so coaches Roger Palmgren and Gordon Igesund could well be forgiven if their priorities are placed elsewhere.
Amabhubesi are just two places above relegation zone, but with games against title-chasing Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town still to come, assistant coach Johan Eriksson knows there is plenty of hard work still to do.
“Obviously the league is a very important issue, because if we do get relegated, that will definitely not be good,” he said. “I don’t know what to expect from them.
“But whatever he (Gordon Igesund) brings, I know what to expect from my players and that’s what I’ll be focussing on.”
However, Eriksson believes it is still important do well in the tournament.
He continued: “Nonetheless, I think that the cup game is an important thing because if we don’t win this game, then we have quite a break in the league, whereby we won’t be playing competitive matches if we get knocked out.
“So we definitely want to stay in the competition.”
Reflecting on our last win against fellow relegation strugglers Bay United, Palmgren’s number two highlighted its importance in context to the season.
He added: “I think the win against Bay was very crucial – very, very crucial to stay up in the league. After this, then we’re meeting Pirates at home, it’s also another big game for us. So definitely, every game is vitally crucial at this point.”
There are no serious injuries for Thanda, but Thabiso Rammile and Felix Odaba will both miss the game through suspension.
Maritzburg, meanwhile will be without Sylla Mbemba.
The Team of Choice, who are one position worse off than their opponents in the league, are looking forward to the game, according to Igesund, but the coach admits his main target is league survival.
“We have to have our priorities right,” he said. “Most importantly you don’t want to pick up injuries and suspensions.
“We know we’ve still got a lot of work to do, but things get easier when you have less pressure. And five of the seven games we have left are at home.”