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Cape Town - Maritzburg United defender David Booysen says they hope to use the lessons learnt from their matches against Kaizer Chiefs to good effect against Platinum Stars on Saturday.
The Team of Choice played Chiefs in back-to-back clashes in the Premiership and Telkom Knockout last 16 and lost both encounters.
However, all is not lost, according to the Maritzburg defender, who believes they benefited from the games against the current league leaders.
"We leant a lot from the two games against Chiefs. If we can take those lessons into the Platinum Stars match, and apply the same mentality and attitude, then I'm confident we have a good chance of getting the three points," Booysen told his club's official website.
"Stars don't have the big-name players like Chiefs, but they have unity in their ranks and have been playing well as a team for a few seasons now. We at Maritzburg are in a similar position, our strength is also in our unity and togetherness as a squad."
Booysen added that he is enjoying his role as one of the team's longest-serving members, saying: "There are a lot of young players in the squad this season, and as senor players, we try to encourage them. We try to lead by example, working hard all the time, and not relaxing if we win a game.
"After a win, you have to put it straight behind you. If they make a mistake, it won't help to shout at a young player, but to try and get him to rectify the mistake the next time.
"As senior players we must also listen to what the younger guys are saying, take advice in some situations, because one must always keep on learning, keep oneself humble.
"One of the reasons Maritzburg have done well this season is because of the competition for places in the squad - players cannot relax, they must be on their toes and on top of their games at all times. As players we are all supporting each other - its healthy competition."
Maritzburg have had a promising start to the new campaign by their modest standards, as they are currently sitting eighth in the standings, with nine points collected from seven matches.
The Team of Choice played Chiefs in back-to-back clashes in the Premiership and Telkom Knockout last 16 and lost both encounters.
However, all is not lost, according to the Maritzburg defender, who believes they benefited from the games against the current league leaders.
"We leant a lot from the two games against Chiefs. If we can take those lessons into the Platinum Stars match, and apply the same mentality and attitude, then I'm confident we have a good chance of getting the three points," Booysen told his club's official website.
"Stars don't have the big-name players like Chiefs, but they have unity in their ranks and have been playing well as a team for a few seasons now. We at Maritzburg are in a similar position, our strength is also in our unity and togetherness as a squad."
Booysen added that he is enjoying his role as one of the team's longest-serving members, saying: "There are a lot of young players in the squad this season, and as senor players, we try to encourage them. We try to lead by example, working hard all the time, and not relaxing if we win a game.
"After a win, you have to put it straight behind you. If they make a mistake, it won't help to shout at a young player, but to try and get him to rectify the mistake the next time.
"As senior players we must also listen to what the younger guys are saying, take advice in some situations, because one must always keep on learning, keep oneself humble.
"One of the reasons Maritzburg have done well this season is because of the competition for places in the squad - players cannot relax, they must be on their toes and on top of their games at all times. As players we are all supporting each other - its healthy competition."
Maritzburg have had a promising start to the new campaign by their modest standards, as they are currently sitting eighth in the standings, with nine points collected from seven matches.
