First Two Major Maritzburg Departures Confirmed

Forward Jose Ali Meza and midfielder Travis Graham have confirmed they will be leaving Maritzburg United after they were relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Meza, stocky and tricky player, could not help Maritzburg to remain in the DStv Premiership after they failed to beat Cape Town Spurs in the vital PSL play-off game on a cold night at Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday.

Spurs grit out the result, stopping the Team of Choice from playing, even after the arrival of Meza in the second half. The former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker was always sandwiched by Spurs players because he possessed a danger on the side of the attack.

The 32-year-old Venezuela international, who joined Maritzburg in the January transfer window, featured in 17 matches in all competitions, scoring three goals in the process, but confirmed this exit to this publication.

“I wanted to stay here at Maritzburg, but it is finished,” said Meza to iDiski Times

“I don’t know [where I’m going], to be honest I don’t have a team.

“I think I’m going back to South America and I’m going to stay there, just train until I find the team.”

But Meza did not want to close the door to any other suitors out there in South Africa, saying: “I can consider staying.”

It was Meza’s second stint with Maritzburg after arrived in the country ahead of the 2018/19 season to join Mamelodi Sundowns when coach Pitso Mosimane had scouted him from Bolivian side CD Oriente Petrolero.

He won two league titles at Chloorkop, including the treble in the 2019/20 season, in what was Mosimane’s last season with the Tshwane giants.

He described his stay in Mzansi as amazing with trophies he won, adding the country is beautiful.

“I love South Africa,” added Meza.

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“The country is beautiful, beautiful country to play football. I think stadiums are greater compared to those in South America. So when I came to Sundowns, obviously I came from far in South America but I came to a very good team.

“I won trophies there and many things changed and then came to Maritzburg.

“I tried to play as much as possible. But on Wednesday we didn’t play well, didn’t play our football and that was difficult.”

In all, Meza featured in 72 matches in all competitions in Mzansi, scoring nine goals in the process.  

Meanwhile, former Ajax Cape Town and Cape Town City midfielder Travis Graham also confirmed his Maritzburg exit, bidding farewell on social media.

“As my time with the Maritzburg United comes to an end, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the experiences and memories that I will always cherish,” he wrote.

“I know that each and every one of us gave our all on the pitch and fought until the very end to save our club, but unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow as a player and as a person. I will carry the lessons that I have learned here with me and I will always look back on my time with this club with fondness and pride. Thank you for everything and farewell.”

Graham joined Maritzburg in December 2020 and he made 68 appearances since.