Tuesday's fortunate victory over Ajax Cape Town has enhanced the possibility of a best-ever finish for Maritzburg United in the Premier Soccer League.
The KwaZulu-Natal club have never finished higher than 10th in South Africa's top division, a feat they managed last season under coach Steve Komphela.
The victory over Ajax, courtesy of a late goal from Mohau Mokate, was a second in a row for Komphela's men and a fourth in six outings.
A top-eight finish is something that the coach has spoken about all season, most recently describing the team as "fighting tooth and nail" to scrap for a place in the top half.
He feels it would bring the club more respect than it currently garners in the league, and of course also provides entrance into the lucrative MTN8 for next season.
Since the Team of Choice returned to the top-flight for the 2008-2009 season, they have finished 12th twice, 11th three times and made some progress with last season's 10th-place finish.
They have been nothing if not consistent.
The side had grappled with the loss of key players in recent seasons - Cuthbert Malajila moved to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2013, and last year they lost Rheece Evans and Mario Booysens to the same side, as well as Michael Morton to SuperSport United.
But with veteran former Ghana international John Paintsil anchoring the fifth-best defence in the league and the likes of 21-year-olds Abel Mabaso and Kwanda Mngonyama offering good support, the side have flourished.
Tuesday's win at Ajax moved them up to seventh, with clashes against Moroka Swallows (tomorrow), Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu to come.
Should Komphela achieve a top-eight finish, it would be a triumph for a very under-rated coach in the local game.
l See Page 42
Komphela eyes top eight spot
Tuesday's fortunate victory over Ajax Cape Town has enhanced the possibility of a best-ever finish for Maritzburg United in the Premier Soccer League.
The KwaZulu-Natal club have never finished higher than 10th in South Africa's top division, a feat they managed last season under coach Steve Komphela.
The victory over Ajax, courtesy of a late goal from Mohau Mokate, was a second in a row for Komphela's men and a fourth in six outings.
A top-eight finish is something that the coach has spoken about all season, most recently describing the team as "fighting tooth and nail" to scrap for a place in the top half.
He feels it would bring the club more respect than it currently garners in the league, and of course also provides entrance into the lucrative MTN8 for next season.
Since the Team of Choice returned to the top-flight for the 2008-2009 season, they have finished 12th twice, 11th three times and made some progress with last season's 10th-place finish.
They have been nothing if not consistent.
The side had grappled with the loss of key players in recent seasons - Cuthbert Malajila moved to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2013, and last year they lost Rheece Evans and Mario Booysens to the same side, as well as Michael Morton to SuperSport United.
But with veteran former Ghana international John Paintsil anchoring the fifth-best defence in the league and the likes of 21-year-olds Abel Mabaso and Kwanda Mngonyama offering good support, the side have flourished.
Tuesday's win at Ajax moved them up to seventh, with clashes against Moroka Swallows (tomorrow), Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu to come.
Should Komphela achieve a top-eight finish, it would be a triumph for a very under-rated coach in the local game.
l See Page 42
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