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half the job done

PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - 29 June 2008, Mr. Farouk Kadodia and Coach Ian Pamler during the National First Division playoff 2nd leg between Maritzburg United and FC AK held the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.\nPhoto by Gallo Images\n\nOVERJOYED: Maritzburg United boss Farouk Kadodia and head coach Ian Palmer celebrate after gaining promotion to the Premiership next season. page 42, sow 01/06/08.
PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - 29 June 2008, Mr. Farouk Kadodia and Coach Ian Pamler during the National First Division playoff 2nd leg between Maritzburg United and FC AK held the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.\nPhoto by Gallo Images\n\nOVERJOYED: Maritzburg United boss Farouk Kadodia and head coach Ian Palmer celebrate after gaining promotion to the Premiership next season. page 42, sow 01/06/08.

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Farouk Kadodia, the boss of Absa Premiership returnees Maritzburg United, says they will embark on an ambitious reinforcement drive to beef up the team for the rigours of top flight football next season.

"Though we are going to let some players go, we will not make wholesale changes to the team," he told Sowetan yesterday.

"We are going to retain the core of the current team and ensure that we strengthen all the departments.

"It is also important for us to keep our coach [Ian Palmer] after he did such a wonderful job in the National First Division last season. But we will need some people to reinforce our technical department.

"We should consider that it will be more difficult in the elite league and we should be well prepared for the hurdles awaiting us.

"I should also thank the people of Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas for their undivided support. I urge them to continue to rally behind us because it will not be easy to survive without their backing in the Premiership."

The Team of Choice, relegated from the Premiership at the end of 2006-07 season, made a quick comeback to top flight football after beating FC AK 2-0 at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.

Fadlu Davids scored a brace to give them a 3-1 aggregate score after the sides fought out a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg in Eldorado Park last Wednesday.

Davids is not the only quality player at the team as they also have Collen Zimba, Lynch Pule, Justice Sithole, Peter Petersen and their Ghanaian skipper John Arwuyah.

United will host their matches at Woodburn Rugby Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.

Harry Gwala Stadium will get a facelift next week and the renovations are expected to end in October next year.

Kadodia bought the club from Thabo Masilela two seasons ago while it was still Tembisa Classic.

Masilela had bought the club from Vincent Thwala, Sinky "Twalaza" Mnisi and James Mathe.

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