On Tuesday evening 1 November, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Maritzburg United (Team of Choice) held Kaizer Chiefs (Amakhosi) to a goalless draw.
Before the game the Team of Choice coach, Ian Palmer, said that they would be playing a compact defense game and going back to basics which is certainly what we witnessed on Tuesday evening – tight defence from 4 defenders, kicks out rather than head to head theatrics, low balls and short passes were the order of the day as Amakhosi were thwarted again and again. The only kicks for goal were from far out and lacklustre at best.
Over ninety minutes the Team of Choice demonstrated a cohesion and game plan that must surely have built on their recent drubbing (7-0) by Supersport United on 14 October.
One would think that a 0-0 scoreline would indicate that the footie was boring – far from it as between the two teams we saw eight great moves ending in shots at goal and the antics of the Team of Choice’s goalkeeper, Walters kept us entertained.
The discovery that Maritzburg’s right back, Reese Evans, is an almost dead ringer for my son also was a bit of a pleasant surprise. A sportswriter from Maritzburg, after seeing our son, Philip, walking in with us asked the Longhair and I if we were Reece Evans’ parents so uncanny is the resemblance between Reese and Philip. Of course Philip has impeccable genes passed on from a beautiful mother and brainy father! THIS, surely gives the Team of Choice an even greater reason (apart from financial considerations) to make Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium their home base going forward. Reece Evans (16) plays right back for Maritzburg United.
Of Maritzburg United’s (presently 8th in the log) three victories in nine Premiership fixtures thus far at their favoured 15 000 seat home venue, the Harry Gwala Stadium stadium one was against a team higher on the log – Pirates (presently 5th) – whilst the other two victories were against teams lower on the log than Maritzburg – Platinum Stars (presently 10th) and Golden Arrows (presently 15th).
In the light of Maritzburg’s poor 7-0 loss against the top team in the log followed by holding Amakhosi (presently 2nd) to a goalless draw at the Neslon Mandela Bay Stadium AND in light of the poor local support of the Team of Choice one can only conclude that playing at the NMB Stadium was the RIGHT choice for Maritzburg.
Maritzburg United’s performance in the PSL:
- Tuesday, 1 November 2011: Maritzburg United vs Kaizer Chiefs: 0-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
- Friday, 28 October 2011: Santos vs Maritzburg United: 2-1 at the Athlone Stadium
- Friday, 14 October 2011: SuperSport United vs Maritzburg United: 7-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium
- Wednesday, 28 September 2011: Maritzburg United vs 2-1 Platinum Stars: 2-1 at the Harry Gwala Stadium
- Saturday, 24 September 2011: Black Leopards vs Maritzburg United: 0-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium
- Sunday, 18 September 2011: Maritzburg United vs Golden Arrows: 2-0 at the Harry Gwala Stadium
- Wednesday, 14 September 2011: Bloem Celtic vs Maritzburg United: 1-1 at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium
- Wednesday, 24 August 2011: Maritzburg United vs Orlando Pirates: 2-1 at the Harry Gwala Stadium
- Wednesday, 17 August 2011: Ajax Cape Town vs Maritzburg United: 1-1 at the Cape Town Stadium
- Sunday, 14 August 2011: Maritzburg United vs Bidvest Wits: 2-2 at the Harry Gwala Stadium
The turnout at last night’s game was approximately 10 200 strong and most of those were supporting Amakhosi – I only found a small pocket of blue clad Team of Choice supporters.
Has anyone told our local football fans that there is a strong chance that the Team of Choice could move to the NMB Stadium and that if we give them support this has more chance of happening?
Maybe Discovery, having now established a service centre in Port Elizabeth, would like to look at buying or sponsoring a football team poised for greater things? Use it don’t use it!
See the images below for; some action from the Maritzburg – Amakhosi game, a photograph of Philip’s doppleganger, Reece Evans, courtesy of Leon Hugo, images of two of Port Elizabeth’s best lensmen – Richard Huggard and Leon Hugo PLUS an image of the FRIENDLIEST security guard in Port Elizabeth who deserves an award for making every media person feel welcome and safe.
Maritzburg United Goalkeeper Walters saves another one.
One of Port Elizabeth’s BEST Photographers, Richard Huggard from Snapz
Tean of Choice – Maritzburg United Supporters
Reece Evans – Philip Straton’s twin.
The team of choice attempt to score against Amakhosi
One of Port Elizabeth’s BEST photographers
Port Elizabeth’s friendliest security guard who deserves an award.
