Maritzburg United head coach Fadlu Davids says the Premier Soccer League’s rejection to have their game moved on the same date as their relegation rivals has left room for thoughts of match-fixing, and should’ve been avoided.
Maritzburg will controversially complete their season against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Stadium at 19:30 tonight, when they need at least a point to move above Chippa United and Marumo Gallants – at least until their games kick off on Saturday.
The match between Maritzburg and Sundowns was brought forward by the league since the Tshwane giants will host Wydad Athletic Club in the second leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final on Saturday.
Maritzburg had requested a postponement of their game so that all relegation competitors play at the same time, but it was rejected by the league, with Davids admitting the decision could open a can of worms of potential match fixing or match manipulation.
“It is difficult because normally on the last day you don’t want to talk about fixing games and these things because it’s not proper,” said Davids.
“We trust Golden Arrows to put their best line-up, we trust Swallows to go for the win and to get into the top eight.
“We don’t expect them, let’s say for instance we lose [to Sundowns] and both teams just play for the draw, we don’t expect that.
“But, if you play at the same time, these types of things cannot go through your mind, so that makes it difficult. We dealt the hand when we conceded in the last seconds against Marumo Gallants, where we were down and out and now there is a hope.
“As we are given that small hope, we have to do everything in our power to get the win. The external factors and what happens after that, it’s not in our hands.
“We just have to go and get the three points and see what happens on the 20th of May.”
Meanwhile, Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia has asked fellow KwaZulu-Natal club Golden Arrows to help his side and beat Chippa United in the last game of the season on Saturday.
Kadodia says he expects professionalism from Mato Madlala’s club, something similar to what was shown by TS Galaxy, who crushed their relegation rivals Chippa United 4-0 on Saturday in the penultimate game of the season at Mbombela Stadium.
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That went a long way in aiding Maritzburg’s goal difference compared to Chippa’s, as it has now shrunk from six before they beat Stellenbosch 1-0 to just one after Tim Sukazi’s side were completely ruthless.
But Kadodia still feels it is unfair for his side to be playing on Tuesday, while their rivals are not playing but on Saturday, giving them an unfair advantage.
“Basically, it has gone to one goal and again a KZN club, if they want their fellow KZN team to stay in the province, they must really fight,” pleaded Kadodia.
“What TS Galaxy did, I admire them. They played the game professionally on Saturday, Stellenbosch FC played the game professionally [against Maritzburg], there was no situation where Stellenbosch handed the game over to us in that sort of way.
“As far as professionalism is concerned, on Saturday it was hundred percent. I want the same professionalism to continue this coming Saturday.”
Even in case Maritzburg lose against Sundowns on Tuesday, they are not guaranteed relegation, as Chippa could potentially lose by a bigger margin against Golden Arrows on Saturday.
