Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp admits it is difficult to manage a club that is fighting against relegation.
The Team of Choice are currently in 14th place on the DStv Premiership standings with 24 points from 26 games – just one clear of the dropzone, and having just avoided going down last season.
Their precarious position makes it difficult to attract players and the club even saw the chance to sign striker Kwame Peprah slip away before he joined Orlando Pirates.
Maritzburg next face second-placed Rotal AM at home on Wednesday.
Ahead of the game, Middendorp said in the Sowetan: “Just to give you an example with Peprah in Ghana. My relationship in Ghana with the teams over there and with the people who’re representing him, we had a lot of discussions far back but in the end we couldn’t go forward [because at that time it wasn’t clear whether Maritzburg survive].”
“I understand, that’s a little bit of a situation where we’re in at the moment again. Players always want to know if they’ll be playing in the PSL or not. If we’re approaching a player at the moment, in April or May, it’s difficult.”
The head coach added: “We try to find harmony and direction in our team to pick up points. For us it is not a totally new situation, being in this battle of trying to secure our PSL status. We’re moving forward day by day. We have a certain experience at this level.”
By Admin
