Maritzburg United will look to take down Highlands Park

Maritzburg United will look to take down Highlands Park when the teams meet in the last 16 of the Telkom Knockout, set for the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday, 20 October.
Kick-off is at 8.15pm.
Maritzburg come into the game on the back of a goalless draw at home to Cape Town City in their last outing before the international break. The KwaZulu-Natal side is unbeaten in their last five matches, though the sequence of results includes four 0-0 draws.  The Team of Choice has never won the League Cup, nor reached the final, while last season they were eliminated in the first round on penalties by Platinum Stars (the game ended 0-0 after extra time).  Highlands come into the game on the back of a 2-1 home win over Chippa United prior to the international break. The Makhulong-based side have suffered just one defeat so far this season and have made a solid if unspectacular return to the PSL.  The Lions of the North will be appearing in the Telkom Knockout for just the second time. Their debut was in 2016 when they got as far as the quarterfinals before losing 2-1 to Orlando Pirates.  This will be the first cup meeting of Maritzburg and Highlands, but they have at least clashed in two league games in the 2016/17 season: the teams drew 1-1 in Pietermaritzburg in the first half of the campaign, while the return game saw the Gauteng side claim a 1-0 home win, thanks to a goal from Surprise Moriri.
Previous line-ups.   Maritzburg’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with CT City on 5 October: Ofori, De Reuck, Sanoka, Xulu, Mandela, Shandu, Makaringe, Figareido (Makgalwa 46', Mekoa 89'), Ndlovu, Zakri (Fileccia 60’), Mokate.
Highlands’ line-up from their 2-1 win over Chippa on 6 October: Kapini, Sibande, Msimango, Rae (Fransman 86'), Mokoena, Mofokeng, Mvala, Mbatha (Motlafi 67'), Nyembe, Sekola (Hoaseb 63'), Shalulile.
What the teams are saying
Maritzburg United goalkeeper coach Arthur Bartman:
“I think the consistent back line and Richard Ofori have been great," said Bartman on the club’s official website as they build up for this TKO clash.
"It’s very important because if you chop and change your defence and goalkeeper you are bound to concede goals.
"In football you need a consistent defensive line and a goalkeeper. I always speak to the goalkeepers about communication. That’s how I was taught, communication is key for a goalkeeper.”
Highlands Park midfielder Mothobi Mvala:
"It is not about me, but instead it's about helping the club win," said the prolific midfielder.  "It does not matter if it is me or Peter Shalulile who scores goals. The fact is goals are what must be scored to win us games. I just think that I am lucky to score."
Maritzburg United key players
Mohau Mokate – Maritzburg have scored just once in their last five matches and need their forwards to start matching the excellence shown by their defence. In this regard, Mohau Mokate will hope to find his scoring boots and fire the Team of Choice into the quarterfinals.
Richard Ofori – With the prospect of a penalty shootout always looming in the back of the mind for cup matches, goalkeeper Richard Ofori could prove to be a key man for Maritzburg – both during the game and in a shootout, should it go that far.
Highlands Park key players
Peter Shalulile – Fresh from scoring a key goal for Namibia in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in midweek, forward Peter Shalulile will hope to bring that form into domestic competition and help Highlands to victory in Pietermaritzburg.  Luckyboy Mokoena – An impressive figure in defence thus far, Luckyboy Mokoena will look to help the Lions of the North keep a clean sheet and lay the platform for a victory in this Telkom Knockout last-16 clash.