Menzo: Margeman has something special
AJAX CAPE TOWN are hoping that South Africa Under-20 midfield starlet Grant Margeman can restore a measure of confidence in a squad sadly lacking in self-belief. Since the re-start of the PSL season this year, things have fallen apart for the Urban Warriors, who are yet to win a game in 2017.
Now, with Ajax taking on Free State Stars in a mustwin PSL fixture at Athlone Stadium tonight (8pm kickoff), coach Stanley Menzo wants to inject the brashness of youth into the squad.
Margeman, the 18-year-old from Bonteheuwel, recently returned from international duty with the SA U20 squad for the African Youth Championships in Zambia. They finished fourth at the event, but it was enough to qualify the country for the Fifa U20 World Cup in South Korea later this year.
It was, in fact, Margeman who played a pivotal role in the SA U20s’ qualification. After a win and loss in the group stages, and the team then needing to defeat Sudan to ensure World Cup qualification, the score was deadlocked at 1-1. And it was Ajax’s Margeman who popped up with the goal to make it 2-1 for Amajita, and they eventually cruised to a comfortable 3-1 victory in that defining match.
“Having Grant back gives us another option in midfield,” said Menzo. “He brings energy and confidence into the team. He gives us something different, and I believe that he has something special.
“Grant is still young and we have to monitor him to ensure that we don’t overplay him. We have to make sure that we manage him properly. We have to keep him fresh, both mentally and physically.”
Menzo’s words are an indication of how important the teenager is to Ajax – and tonight, when he makes his return to the squad, the youngster has an opportunity to demonstrate just how influential he is to the team’s success.
Ajax, of course, also have an opportunity tonight to lift the veil of pessimism currently hovering over football in the Mother City. After what has been a wretched Nedbank Cup campaign for the Cape – five clubs entered the last 32 stage and each and every team lost – an Ajax victory will go a long way to restoring some measure of optimism.
When Menzo arrived in October last year, to take over from Roger de Sa, he quickly set about stamping his presence on the squad. The team started winning and moving up the league standings. But, this year, it’s all come crashing down again, culminating in the weekend’s humiliating Nedbank Cup loss to Second Division side KwaDukuza United.
“In football, things can change very quickly,” said Menzo. “And you’ve seen it now with this team… It just shows that every game is crucial. A while back everybody was talking about a top eight finish, but look at our situation now.
“There will be even more pressure for today’s game against Stars, even more pressure than when playing against the top teams. In games like these, players have to bring their own motivation, they have to be professional about what needs to be done. I think the players know the situation, it’s up to them, and they have to take the responsibility to get us out of it. As a staff, we put in the ingredients, the players have to finish it off.”
Menzo acknowledged the importance of winning tonight, but was just as adamant that it would be a really tough fixture against opponents likely to be just as determined and motivated.
In addition to Margeman’s return, Menzo will welcome Rivaldo Coetzee and Mosa Lebusa back from injury, while wingers Thabo Mosadi and Mark Mayambela, rested for the Cup tie, will no doubt be drafted straight back into the starting team.
Also, with Ajax in action against Stars, it is a weekend that pits the Mother City against the Free State, because the other local club, Cape Town City, are set to take on Bloemfontein Celtic at the Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein tomorrow evening (6pm kickoff).