Ajax aiming for Sundowns scalp
THE last time Mamelodi Sundowns came to the Mother City to play Ajax Cape Town in a PSL fixture they lost 2-0.
The victory for the Urban Warriors was massive because the beaten team on that occasion had a week earlier won the CAF Champions League title.
To have seen off the African club champions should spur on the current crop of Ajax players to try and match that feat, and that opportunity presents itself tonight at the Cape Town Stadium (7.30pm kickoff) in what is a catch-up first-round fixture for both camps.
Sundowns currently sit atop the table and a win for the Brazilians would put them four clear of second-placed Cape Town City after the same number of games (16).
Ajax played four days ago at the same venue as tonight and, after going 1-0 up early on, ended up conceding two second-half goals to lose 2-1 against Maritzburg United.
That eighth defeat – and they were a well-beaten lot – has seen nine players in a squad of over 40 being given their marching orders, a sign from new coach Muhsin Ertugral that he has little time for players who aren’t willing to play ball.
No passenger on board for the remainder of the season is a clear message to the remaining ones that their futures could be on the line too if the poor run of form continues.
And who can fault a coach for such action. He’s only just returned for a fourth stint and at a time of crisis, so tough decisions are being made in the best interests of the club.
While time is still on Ajax’s side in terms of moving away from the danger zone, the longer they sit where they are is sure to affect the players’ minds, and of late those confidence levels are not where they should be as a collective.
So what better time to turn things around than against one of the glamour clubs.
Sundowns are beatable, as shown by their back-to-back defeats to Cape Town City (1-0) before the Christmas break and then in their first outing of the new year on Saturday when downed 3-2 at Polokwane City.
Their coach, Pitso Mosimane, has blamed the latest setback on the time off over the festive period coupled to the lack of intent from his charges.
He now wants them to show character against an Ajax side with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Him losing five games in a season hasn’t gone down well with the club’s longest-serving coach, so imagine how he’ll feel if it reads six defeats.
Ajax assistant coach Calvin Marlin says his boys are ready to show what they’re made of.
“Motivating them from a coaching perspective, no, that’s already in play because they know what it would mean to put one over Sundowns.
“And big performances won’t go unnoticed, the bigger clubs are always on the lookout for new blood,” said Marlin.
“I do feel we can win this one provided the players rock up with a positive mindset and deliver what we know they are capable of.
“Confidence is everything in football, so too belief. “So let’s get it on.” Ajax confirmed yesterday that they have all but agreed a swop deal with one-time city rivals Chippa United that will see Bantu Mzwakali going to Chippa and Samuel Julies coming to Parow.
Julies, an ex-Sundowns player, is an attacking midfielder/wing/forward who can play with both his left and right feet.
He has a definite eye for goal as shown by his brace against defending champions Wits a couple of months back.
There is still doubt over the availability of Zimbabwean internationals Tendai Ndoro (striker) and Gerald Takwara (midfielder), with the pair of new signings hoping to receive their work permits from Home Affairs in time for the showdown with Sundowns.