Sowetan

Ertugral hints at Mosadi’s return to Ajax starting XI

Winger’s new work ethic pleases coach

- By Nick Said

Muhsin Ertugral says a heartto-heart with Thabo Mosadi has opened the door for a return to the Ajax Cape Town side for the explosive winger.

The 27-year-old was a regular feature for Ajax in the first half of the campaign‚ starting every one of the club’s first 15 league games.

He also made 26 league appearance­s in the 2016/17 campaign.

But the arrival of Ertugral as club coach saw him not only dropped from the starting side, but also fail to appear in a match-day squad since the first game of the year‚ a 2-1 home loss to Maritzburg United on January 5.

But Ertugral says that there are signs that Mosadi is beginning to put more effort into his game and has hinted he could be back sooner rather than later.

“Yes he is a talent‚ but hard work is sometimes not his favourite way.

“But he learnt very quickly with me that both are important‚” Ertugral said.

“He has proved that in the last couple of weeks‚ but there are other players in his position‚ so it is nice, healthy competitio­n that we have.

“But he is back‚ he is doing fine. He has improved to another level and I am very positive to use him soon.”

Mosadi joined Ajax from University of Pretoria in 2016‚ where he was a star player. He has a total of 12 goals in 96 Absa Premiershi­p appearance­s since 2012.

Ajax remain in desperate trouble in the relegation playoff position with 21 points from 22 games.

They are next in action at home to SuperSport United tonight (7.30pm).

Victory would take Ajax out of the relegation zone and above Polokwane City‚ who will however have played two games fewer.

 ?? /GERHARD DURAAN/BACKPAGEPI­X ?? Thabo Mosadi is putting in more effort.
/GERHARD DURAAN/BACKPAGEPI­X Thabo Mosadi is putting in more effort.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa