Middendorp Maritzburg United

Ernst Middendorp, during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 Monthly Awards at the PSL Offices, Johannesburg on the 26 November 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Ernst Middendorp again looks to Europe to strengthen the Team of Choice

Ernst Middendorp’s Maritzburg United have agreed a deal in principle to bring in Serbian fullback Dusan Stevic.

Middendorp Maritzburg United

Ernst Middendorp, during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 Monthly Awards at the PSL Offices, Johannesburg on the 26 November 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Maritzburg United have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring in Serbian defender Dusan Stevic under the direction of Ernst Middendorp.

Middendorp is hopeful that Stevic will resolve an issue the Team of Choice have had filling the role of right back. 

Middendorp again looks to Europe for transfer targets

The German coach has made use of all of Nazeer Allie, Kwanda Mngonyama, Pagiso Sanoka, Malebogo Modise and Lungelo Bhengu at fullback but now looks like he has turned to Europe to staff the position.

Stevic will join from Super liga Srbije outfit FK Napredak Krusevac and has also played in Greece and North Macedonia.

Middendorp has been busy in his first transfer market since rejoining Maritzburg United. He has already brought in German goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt to their roster and Maritzburg United still have one foreign space open after releasing Zambian goalkeeper Sebastian Mwange and Nathanael Bongo Mbourou from Gabon. 

Middendorp irked by slip-up against Arrows

Middendorp has helped Maritzburg United move off the bottom of the table but emphasised the need for his men to better manage matches throughout the full 90 minutes.

“Currently we have the ability to play 70 percent of the intensity of the game. We have seen an excellent first half, totally dominant,” coach Middendorp said.

“In the end of course we have not been able to go through for the 90 minutes and this is our problem in the moment. Week by week, day by day, we have to work on it and make it happen that we are able to manage further minutes into the second half, to manage leading.

“The majority of the game was good and we showed what we can do. And now we have to work on it to do better to win this game.”

United bounce back

There was an improvement in the Nedbank Cup as Maritzburg United saw off Sekhukhune FC 2-1 on Friday night.

The game saw a first start for Engelhardt while Asanda Buthelezi and Phiwayinkosi Zuma both came off the bench to get their first taste of action in the Maritzburg United first team.

Man of the Match Tebogo Tlolane stressed that there were plenty of areas for Maritzburg United to improve on.

“The win hands us confidence, we fought well in the second-half. There are few things that we can work on. It feels great to go through to the next round,” Tlolane said.

Maritzburg United are currently level on points with the bottom-two clubs in the league.