Serero celebrates as Ajax retain title

THULANI Serero celebrated being crowned a champion in Holland for the second successive season and says he feels he has made a contribution to Ajax Amsterdam’s excellent season.

The Dutch club won the Eredivisie on Sunday with a 5-0 walloping of Willem II, when Serero was again forced to sit on the bench. He has made just five starts and five substitute appearances in a season wrecked by injury and one that started with so much promise, with the 23-year-old as a first-team regular.

Since returning from injury after the Africa Cup of Nations, his appearances have been sporadic and he has not featured at all since March.

“Of course, I would like it to have gone differently, but the team has proven the coach right in the last few months,” Serero told reporters.

“Despite the fact that I did not play as much as I would have liked, I really feel I made a substantial con- tribution ... and the only thing that matters is that we are champions.”

Serero had been linked in the press with a move to Greek side Panathinaikos, but that seems unlikely given that he only recently signed a new deal in Amsterdam and is still viewed as an exciting talent by coach Frank de Boer. Meanwhile, Kamohelo Mokotjo was again not in the match day squad for Feyenoord as they lost 2-0 at Den Haag.

However, youngster Lebohang Phiri was again in the starting line-up for his Danish club Brondby as they held league leaders FC Copenhagen to a 0-0 draw.

It could be a vital point in the club’s battle to avoid relegation, with Phiri replaced with 20 minutes to go by veteran Dennis Rommedahl.

May Mahlangu had another good game for Swedish side Helsingborg as they won 1-0 at Syrianska FC.