Maritzburg United assistant coach Maahier Davids says reaching the Nedbank Cup final proves that his side are heading in the right direction, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Team of Choice will take on Free State Stars in what is expected to be a thrilling final at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Davids, who coached Ajax Cape Town’s youth structure before joining Maritzburg, says his relationship with head coach and brother Fadlu is strictly professional.

‘In football, our relationship is a professional one,’ Davids said.

‘As coaches, we were on two different paths. When I left Ajax, it was to join Ernst Middendorp as his assistant at Free State Stars. When Ernst [Middendorp] joined Maritzburg, he took me along, and I found my brother there.

‘So, while I guess it was a natural fit. But, while we may have an existing relationship as brothers, we had Ernst to act as our mentor. It developed into a professional relationship and ran from there.’

The 36-year-old coach believes the Team of Choice have come along way since he first joined the club under Middendorp.

‘We’ve come a long way,’ he added.

‘Two seasons ago, we just managed to avoid relegation, now we are in a cup final. We just want the team to go out and enjoy the occasion, and channel their energy in the right direction. As far as we are concerned, just making it to this final is a victory in itself.

‘At the end of the day, this is a final and each team has a 50% chance of winning. We know Stars have a good record in the Cape – they’ve come here and beaten Ajax in the past. We’ve got a few Cape Town boys in the squad, so we’ll do our best – and that’s all we are asking of the players.’

Maritzburg United will lock horns with Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup final at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off set for 7pm.

Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix