Can Maritzburg United have another great escape like seven years ago, when Ernst Middendorp saved them from relegation on the final day of the season?
Relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship means salaries will be reduced, spotlights won’t be big as it was in the DStv Premiership, some members within the technical team might be sacrificed due to the reduced PSL grants.
If you think you will come back in the first attempt in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, ask AmaZulu, Cape Town Spurs, Black Leopards, Jomo Cosmos and Santos.
There is an old saying that goes, proper preparation prevents poor performance.
Maritzburg United are faced with the relegation axe right into their neck yet again, lying at the bottom of the table with 26 points after 28 matches played.
Former Maritzburg defender Thami Mkhize fully knows how it was like to be the Team of Choice in the 2015/16 season.
Mkhize, now Cape Town City skipper, rescued Maritzburg in the second to last game, scoring a beautifully curled free kick in the 83rd minute to see KwaZulu-Natal club beat the Urban Warriors, climbing off the table to 15th placed and dragged Cosmos to the bottom.
The club had to rope in Edward Gray who is a performance psychologist and psychometrician, who has huge expertise in mental toughness coaching to work with the mentality of the players.
“We were going through a lot in the league because we weren’t getting results,” recalled Mkhize.
“Edward Gray came and he helped us a lot mentally about positive attitude and preparing the brain to face any challenges.
“During that time because I was not playing, I was more focused to do these courses with Gray and do extra sessions just to prepare myself for that time if I get the chance to play and I take it with both hands so that when the chance comes, I’m in the right state of mind and play well.
“Then when we played the game against Ajax Cape Town, I would say for me and my teammates, we knew everything was dependent on the results we were getting.
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“Whatever happens outside, it is important when we enter the field, we fight tooth and nail because I believe when you are faced with challenges, don’t run away from challenges but face them as they are.”
With Mkhize having scored that crucial free-kick later in the match, Maritzburg had to beat Cosmos in the last game of the season at Olen Park, as it was all into their hands now.
In that game, Linda Mntambo scored in the 27th minute for Cosmos, to put the shivers down into the spine of Maritzburg.
But late in the game after 80 minutes had passed, Mohau Mokate equalized and Evan Rusike scored two late goals – in the 86th and 90th minute to win the match.
It brought tears of joy to Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia and the management, with coach Middendorp, who was assisted by current coach Fadlu Davids then, disappearing by going straight down the tunnel.
“We put our family first because this was our bread and butter,” added Mkhize.
“We had to make sure that Maritzburg survives for the people of Pietermaritzburg and our families. When you are faced with adversity and you don’t give up, you face what is in front of you and you are positive, eventually you will succeed.”
Maritzburg, just like seven years ago, the next two matches are must-win, starting with Stellenbosch on Saturday (15:00) and Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday, though that game has left Maritzburg chairman Kadodia furious as not all the teams will be playing simultaneously on that day as it has been the norm.
“I know Maritzburg at this stage is going through a difficult phase,” said Mkhize.
“I wish the players can have that positivity because what is important is to go on the field with a healthy mind.
“They shouldn’t go to the game with ‘what if things don’t work out’. I just want to wish them all the best and I hope the next two games they will collect maximum points and save the club.”
