Coach Menzo opts for the ‘low-risk’ policy
AJAX CAPE TOWN have had to adjust their approach, if only temporarily, in a bid to bring more stability to the team. The Cape side will be in Nelspruit tomorrow night for a catch-up PSL fixture against SuperSport United at the Mbombela Stadium (7.30pm), and coach Stanley Menzo is demanding further improvement from his players.
After faltering, inconsistent performances and results this season, Menzo admits he has had to tweak things a bit. The Parow side was created in the image of Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam, and like its Mother club, has become known for an expansive, flowing passing style of football. In recent times, though, the team has struggled, which is why Menzo has, for the time being, abandoned the team’s natural way of playing.
“We are trying not to lose the ball in our own half,” said Menzo. “The idea is to play it a bit longer, to then focus on winning the second ball, and playing from there.”
As such, Ajax have eschewed building up from the back; they are trying to make sure that, when they do shift into their passing game, they are in the opposition’s half. For Menzo, this implies less risk and, considering Ajax’s precarious position on the PSL standings, the coach believes it’s the best policy – for now. Once settled, once things improve, the style and approach will probably revert to the usual.
It certainly appears to be adding something different to the Ajax game. They performed far better in the weekend’s 2-2 draw with AmaZulu at the Athlone Stadium. The Capetonians should, in fact, have won the match, as they were comfortably leading 2-0, right up to the 90th minute, when, bizarrely, they threw it all away.
Menzo, though, was nevertheless happy with the improvement his team showed – and he praised the manner in which his players went about their task (except for the final few minutes, of course). Against SuperSport tomorrow, he wants the same commitment, but without the silly errors.
But, while Menzo has slightly altered the way Ajax play, the one thing that remains consistent is the introduction of bright, emerging talents from the Cape club’s youth academy. With the team battling to find some offensive spark, Menzo gave 20-year-old Masilake “Scara” Phohlongo a start against AmaZulu at the weekend.
From Langa, Phohlongo has been with Ajax since the age of 10. Earlier this year, he was in the SA U20 squad for the Fifa U20 World Cup in South Korea and, a few months later, he was called up by Bafana Bafana for the CHAN championships.
Always rated as a footballer to watch, Phohlongo took his opportunity against AmaZulu by providing a greater creative presence for Ajax, and netting the first goal as well.
“I’m glad for him (Phohlongo),” said Menzo. “He can add something to the team. He has worked hard for it; he has done well in the Diski (Reserve League). He’s also trained well and he’s deserved his shot in the team. He’s got something extra, in that he can get goals for the team.”
In addition to the rise of Phohlongo, Menzo was also chuffed with the continued improvement of striker Tashreeq Morris. The 23-year-old from Mitchell’s Plain has been plagued by injury, which has curtailed his progress. After yet another lengthy injury, he recently returned to action, but it’s taken a while for him to adjust to the rigours of top-flight football.
But, based on his performance against AmaZulu at the weekend (including scoring the team’s second goal), it appears that Morris is back to his best – and Menzo couldn’t be happier.
“I’m very pleased,” said the Ajax coach. “Tassie (Morris’ nickname) is such a dangerous player. He puts in lots of effort and he runs for 90 minutes.”