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Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids says he expects Ali Meza and Bradley Cross to play a big part in his side after they joined the club on Thursday.
Both players were unveiled by the club alongside Kwame Peprah, who is coming on loan from Orlando Pirates.
Meza previously played for Maritzburg in the 2020/21 season, suffering a major injury against Pirates on 18 April 2021, which ruled him out for nine months.
Maritzburg decided that Meza should go home to Venezuela to undergo a rehab after he went for an operation and the club was monitoring him every day.
As he struggled to recover, they mutually agreed to terminate his contract, with Meza having scored just two goals in 21 appearances.
The 31-year-old moved on, joining Bolivian side Always Ready, but he featured in just three matches.
However, he’s now back at Maritzburg who needs him in the relegation fight. On his day Meza is handful and can play across the front line and that’s why coach Davids expects big things from him to save the club.
“As a coach you are always grateful to the chairman [Farouk Kadodia] and the board for allowing us to strengthen the squad in these departments,” said Davids, whose side next hosts Royal AM at Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday (17:30).
“As a coach, you are always excited when the club is supporting you in bringing in quality signings.
“Ali Meza is a fantastic player who gives us attacking options of different dimensions. He knows the club well, he knows the city, he knows the fans.
“We expect a big impact from him after his troubles with his injuries. We made a proper assessment and he’s ready to go.”
On Cross, Davids said everything is set up for him to shine, having played for German side Schalke 04 and Premier League side Newcastle United in the youth structures.
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Cross tried his luck Kaizer Chiefs and at SuperSport United recently but he did not win the deals over there, but Davids was impressed to snap him up.
“Cross is a player with a huge potential. We are here of course to develop him and he has a potential to become a top PSL player,” he explained.
“We will assist him in getting him ready to compete at the PSL level. In terms of the youth pedigree playing in these two European giants, now it is a step for him to be able to make an impact in the PSL and we expect big things from him, not only this season but in the future of Maritzburg United.”
Maritzburg are currently at the basement of the table with 14 points after 15 matches, having won just three games.