Amakhosi tackle City FC in Cape Town
We are ready to challenge for the title, insists Comitis ahead of Chiefs clash
CAPE TOWN CITY boss John Comitis is tired of all the circumspection with regards to his club’s title-challenge. As such, as the Cape PSL club prepares for an all-important fixture against fellow-contenders for the championship Kaizer Chiefs at the Cape Town Stadium tomorrow night (7.30pm kickoff ), he has thrown down the gauntlet to the opposition.
“Every game from now is a Cup final,” said Comitis. “But I don’t want to tip-toe around the issue… So I’m saying, yes, we are ready to challenge for the title. We want it for Cape Town, for our fans and for ourselves. We are ready…”
It’s certainly an occasion that could be dubbed Super Tuesday, especially considering that the Mother City’s two PSL clubs square up against two of the country’s big football sides. Considering how tight the race for the league title is, all eyes will, of course, be focused on the clash between City and Chiefs – but there will be just as much drama and intrigue attached to Ajax Cape Town’s trip to Pretoria to take on Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus (7.30pm kickoff).
For City, in their quest to win the title, every game, at this stage, is a can’t-lose situation. Like last week, when they earned a draw against second-placed Wits, the point was satisfactory, as long as they didn’t lose. Against Chiefs tomorrow – and the Soweto club also has its sights on the championship – the scenario is no different. City will endeavour to win – but, if they can’t, it’s crucial that they don’t lose. Because the top four are so evenly-matched, and in close proximity with regards to points, none of the teams can afford to lose ground to a title rival.
City top the standings with with 46 points, followed by Wits 45, Chiefs 45 and Sundowns 44 – but, against the Amakhosi tomorrow, in the cauldron of the former World Cup venue in Green Point, the Cape side has an opportunity to make a huge statement. Win this one, and especially if Ajax can do their neighbours a favour by taking points off the Brazilians at Loftus, then it could well be advantage City.
While Comitis may have opened up on the club’s readiness to win the title, City coach Eric Tinkler is displaying a more subdued demeanour. He’s not thinking about the title – the only thing that matters to him is the next game against Chiefs – and that is the message he’s sending out to his squad. Don’t focus too far in the future, don’t be side tracked by all the title talk, just concentrate on the game at hand, nothing else.
“There’s still a lot that has to happen before the season ends,” said Tinkler. “We don’t plan ahead, the focus remains on the next game. After last week’s draw with Wits, we think of the next one, Chiefs. The aim is not to put pressure on the players… It’s about taking every game as it comes.”
For Chiefs, coach Steve Komphela’s top priority is to get his players mentally prepared. The squad, no doubt, is a bit down after being bundled out of the Nedbank Cup at the weekend – losing 5-3 on penalties to SuperSport United. Komphela’s task is to get them fired up and ready for what is certain to be an all-action, tactical clash with City.
Chiefs, in fact, had an opportunity to win the quarter-final against SuperSport, but Bernard Parker missed a penalty during extra time. And that’s something that will further weigh on the team collectively, which is why the Chiefs coach will certainly have to earn his salary with the preparation and motivational chat ahead of the City game.
“Had we scored the penalty, we would have been talking a different game, but you can’t make any excuses, we gave it away when we had the opportunity,” Komphela said after the loss to SuperSport. “Every time you miss chances like those, it knocks your confidence. A penalty shoot-out is (a) lottery and, when you lose on penalties, what else can you do? You should have won it in 90 minutes or when we got the penalty in extra time.”
Meanwhile, over at the Urban Warriors, at least, there is a sense that things are starting to turn. After a home win against Highlands Park and an away draw with Golden Arrows, it’s looking a lot better for coach Stanley Menzo.
And the Ajax coach is demanding even more improvement from his team when they face Sundowns tomorrow. (No doubt, they’ll be urged on by neighbours City, who would love nothing more than a Sundowns defeat).
“The last time, against Arrows, I was very proud with the way we played,” said Menzo. “I hope we can continue this upward trend because I believe this team can do much better. The threat of relegation is still around, so the players are motivated for this Sundowns match. We want to get out of this situation we are in and move up the PSL log.”
Menzo, however, admitted he was fully aware of the quality and class of Sundowns. But, while he was treading cautiously, he also said he believed the current African champions could be beaten.
“Sundowns are strong on the ball,” said the Ajax coach. “It’s important that we stay in the game, and it is important that we don’t give away early goals. I do think, though, that Sundowns have weaknesses, and that is what we will focus on.”
Menzo has been vocal about the rise and rise of 18-year-old Grant Margeman this season – and he was looking for another inspirational showing from the teenager.
“Grant gives something extra, something special, that makes the team perform better,” he said. “We have to be careful with him, though. He is still young and has a lot to learn, but the good thing is that he is a natural.”
Sundowns are strong on the ball,” said Ajax coach Stanley Menzo. “It’s important that we stay in the game, and it is important that we don’t give away early goals. I do think, though, that Sundowns have weaknesses, and that is what we will focus on.”