Ajax in a push for major Houdini act

TO AVOID the dreaded PSL promotion/relegation playoffs, Ajax Cape Town will need to achieve a feat they have not experienced since 2013.

On the final day of the season, the Urban Warriors will attempt the great escape against Kaizer Chiefs at the Cape Town Stadium.

Ajax need a victory against Amakhosi to stand the best chance of avoiding a 15th place finish and subsequent playoff battle.

The Mother City outfit have not tasted a league win over Chiefs since their 1-0 win five seasons ago. Even a victory may not be enough as it will be dependent on the results of two other games where SuperSport United will take on Baroka and Polokwane City face Chippa United.

It will be mission improbable for the team up against a Soweto giant they have only beaten twice in their last 10 league clashes.

But come D-day on Saturday (3pm), past results will be thrown out the window as the battle to remain in the top-flight is finally resolved.

Ajax coach Muhsin Ertugral says the players know good and well that their careers were on the line. “As a coach my job is to instil confidence and belief in the players that we can overcome this difficult moment and we should take it more as a test of character,” said Ertugral.

The current season has been the worst in the history of the club, as they are second from the bottom with a record of 14 losses, eight wins and seven draws, with 31 points from 29 games.

Last 10 Ajax/ Chiefs results: 2017-18 Chiefs win 1-0 2016-17 Draw 1-1

2016-17 Chiefs win 2-0 2015-16 Draw 0-0

2015-16 Draw 1-1

2014-15 Chiefs win 1-0 2014-15 Chiefs win 1-0 2013-14 Chiefs win 2-0 2013-14 Ajax win 1-0

2012-13 Ajax win 3-1