Menzo says he’s seen things he can build on

STANLEY MENZO may be schooled in the Ajax system, and fully committed to its philosophy, but he’s also a realist. The new Ajax Cape Town coach is quick to admit that his top priority is to stabilise the squad – and then, once the team starts winning and developing confidence, only then can he focus on playing style.

The 53-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Netherlands goalkeeper took his first training session yesterday morning and, tomorrow, he’ll be in charge of his first game in the PSL when Ajax take on Free State Stars at Goble Park in Bethlehem (6pm kickoff).

“There are things to fix up,” said Menzo after putting the team through its paces yesterday morning. “Obviously, if we are not getting results, then something must be wrong. We have to work, and we have to work very hard, to get going again, and to start winning again.”

Menzo, who was born in Paramaribo in Suriname, cannot stress enough the importance and value of confidence in football. And, from what he’s seen so far from the struggling Cape side, he believes it’s this aspect that’s at the root of the problem. “When players lack confidence, it shows in their behaviour and attitude,” said Menzo. “On the field, they hide a little, or they give the ball away quickly. They are afraid to take risks and they don’t take responsibility.

“Having watched Saturday’s game (Ajax lost 2-0 to SuperSport United), I was disappointed with the result, but I saw things that I can build on. There were some good moments and the team did some good things.”

Menzo admits that he doesn’t have much knowledge of local teams and conditions – but he’s highly experienced in the sport, as a player and a coach, and he has no doubt that the sport is the same all over the world. He’ll learn as he goes along, and he’ll rely on his support staff for information.

“I’m coming in cold, I’m not all that familiar with the PSL,” he said. “I’ve watched videos of Free State Stars in action and I have an idea of their strengths and weaknesses, and their important players.

“But I don’t want to focus too much on the opposition, I want us to play our own game and concentrate on what we need to do.”