Menzo: I believe we have the quality to get us out of the situation we are in

AJAX CAPE TOWN are expecting a really difficult final few games of the season. The Cape side’s coach, Stanley Menzo, may be new to football in South Africa, but he has been impressed by the fight and bite of teams in the PSL.

Ajax are away to Maritzburg United in a league fixture at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday night (8.15pm kickoff) – and Menzo admits that there are no easy points and easy games in the league.

He is expecting another tough, tricky encounter against the KZN side on Saturday.

“I think this Ajax team is growing and has improved,” said Menzo.

“But it’s important to realise that the other teams have also grown and improved. You never know, this league is unpredictable. That is why we have to make sure of the points when we play, we cannot rely on other teams to do us a favour.

“Overall, though, I believe we have the quality to get us out of the situation we are in. We had a good training week, the spirit is good and I think we can get a good result against Maritzburg. It will be tough, but we are going for the three points.”

For Ajax, the trip to KZN was supposed to have been a reunion with former coach Roger de Sa, but instead they will have to face Maritzburg with Fadlu Davids in charge as caretaker for his fourth spell.

In the corresponding first fixture at the Cape Town Stadium in November last year Maritzburg won 2-1 – and, no doubt, it’s a defeat the Urban Warriors would love to avenge.

“I don’t expect there to be too big of a change with Roger not in charge,” said the Ajax coach. “But they will obviously have a different way of playing. When Fadlu was in charge (previously), they did quite well. We have prepared for a few different scenarios at training.

“All in all, though, we have to control things, we have to set the rhythm. If there are opportunities to take advantage, then we have to do so … and, when we have to be careful, then we must take care.”

Squad news is that Menzo will have most of his squad fit, ready and available, including Rivaldo Coetzee who returned from international duty with Bafana Bafana in good shape. The only players who won’t be considered are Grant Margeman (suspended), Tashreeq Morris (injured) and Toriq Losper.