City get going, while Ajax need a jump-start
Reasons why Cape’s PSL clubs have cause to be excited, but also be cautious
WITH the PSL on a break for this weekend’s MTN8 final and next week’s international programme, football RODNEY REINERS reflects on how the two Mother City clubs – Cape Town City and Ajax Cape Town – have fared up to this stage of the season. CAPE TOWN CITY THE GOOD
SO far, so good… The challenge now lies in how the new Cape PSL club sustains the sensational impact it has had on the local game, both in the Cape and in the rest of the country. Established in June, the strides City have made are impressive. A new club, a new squad, a new coach, a new everything and they have managed to capture the imagination of the public. To crown it all, they then proceeded to garner the results as well – the mighty Kaizer Chiefs were dusted off, Orlando Pirates was comprehensively outplayed and, of course, they also emerged victorious in the Cape derby against neighbours Ajax Cape Town. The support for the club has been phenomenal. To think there was nothing in June, and now there is a clamour from potential fans who want to follow the Cape’s newest top-flight club. On the field, too, the achievement has been impressive. Most notable has been the manner in which the Mpumalanga Black Aces contingent has taken to the Mother City, and immersed themselves in the culture of the Cape’s football. In attack, City have played with verve and flair, while, in defence, especially in that win over Chiefs, they were doughty and resolute. There’s a spirit in the squad that is infectious – and, if they keep it going, they should do well this season. THE BAD IN a word, inconsistency... The erratic nature of City’s performances is the biggest concern for head coach Eric Tinkler. As much as the team impresses, they are also their own worst enemy, especially in the manner in which they have conceded goals. There is certainly a desperate need for City to keep their shape and structure more consistently. As witnessed recently, City were outstanding in games against Pirates and Ajax, but then floundered on Tuesday, in a rather forgettable display in a 1-1 draw with promoted Highlands Park.
The other worrying issue for City is the time it is taking for the new foreign players to adjust and adapt to the PSL. Austrian Roland Putsche, Australians Matt Sim and James Brown and Latvian Renars Rode have all had game time, but they’ve not really set the PSL alight. They’ve struggled with the pace and aggression of the league and, so far, the team has been carried by the Black Aces bunch. For example, Putsche played in Austrian Bundesliga last season, and has Europa League experience, while Brown was described as “the darling of the Australian league” – but they haven’t, as yet, lived up to their reputations. Perhaps the foreigners still need time, but this is a professional sport – time is sometimes in short supply, especially when results are paramount. … AND THE UGLY BECAUSE City are a new club, they haven’t had too much time to cause any major mishap or controversy. But the one ugly blot on its short existence is obviously the 3-0 drubbing by Wits in the semi-final of the MTN8. It wasn’t so much the defeat, it was the hapless, clueless first half performance against the Clever Boys that remains an unpleasant blot on the club. Needless to say, it will also serve as a reminder of what City need to avoid in the future… AJAX CAPE TOWN THE GOOD LET’S start by saying that Ajax have put together a really good, competitive squad.
They’ve made some astute signings, there’s depth, there’s youth, there’s experience – and, if they don’t achieve their goals for the season, then they only have themselves to blame. This is one of the most balanced, exciting squads they’ve had in a long while. In patches, they’ve played some good football, and their build-up work, as always, has been excellent. There may be a few top clubs who are popular in the PSL – but, believe me, there’s nothing better than watching Ajax when they are in the groove. When their passing game is on song, when the confidence is high, it’s difficult for teams to play against Ajax. Thabo Mosadi, the new winger signed from the University of Pretoria (to replace Riyaad Norodien, who joined Pirates) has been a refreshing presence out wide, impressing with his pace and confidence to take defenders on. Also, the arrival of fan favourites Mark Mayambela and Lebogang Mokoena has boosted the club’s appeal from a promotional aspect. THE BAD
Need we say it, it is a constant refrain with Ajax year after year, week in and week out, game after game: They just cannot score goals. The build-up work is great, but the final ball, that vital decision in the final third, is missing. Scoring chances are created in abundance, but the composure is absent. If Ajax are to get back on track and do justice to the quality and potential of their squad, they are going to have to learn to kill off the opposition – and that implies finishing the opportunities they create.
The other major problem has already been alluded to by Ajax coach Roger de Sa, when he referred to some of his players as having “the heart of a peanut”. There is a lack of courage and a lack of fight when the going gets tough. Going had in hand with this trait is Ajax’s penchant for losing concentration at crucial stages of matches. In football, coaches preach that players must stay in the moment and focus for the entire 90 minutes. They need to develop the mentality that they don’t play the result and accept only the things they can control, like their performance and response in game situations. This is something that is desperately needed at Ajax: forget the result, play to potential and the rest will follow. … AND THE UGLY IT was rather perplexing to see, in the aftermath of the Cape derby defeat, that some Ajax supporters were already calling for De Sa to be axed. Really? After just four games? In truth, Ajax had opportunities to win all four games, but they didn’t – and that’s just the nature of the sport. But to be pointing fingers of blame at the coach, who took the club to two Cup finals (one won and one lost)?
As already stated, this is the first time that De Sa has a squad with the necessary depth he has always desired, and he deserves the time to work with it. If it doesn’t happen for him within the next few weeks, then, by all means, call for his head. But now, especially when Ajax are yet to win in their opening four games, surely this is no time to panic.