PROFILE MIDFIELDER HAS THE MOVES BUT NOT THE PUNCH
Nick Said
Ajax Cape Town playmaker Bantu Mzwakali has had a disappointing Premier Soccer League campaign to date, but is looking to spearhead his club’s charge for a top-eight place at the expense of Orlando Pirates.
The 23-year-old has mostly been used off the bench of late, but handed a start against Bloemfontein Celtic last Saturday, he underlined his quality with a goal and breath-taking assist as the Urban Warriors won 2-0.
It was a sign of the prodigious talent that took him within a whisker of a move to Kaizer Chiefs at the start of the season, a transfer that broke down as Ajax stood firm on a transfer fee they felt was fair for the attacking midfielder.
Mzwakali will seek similar form against Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, when a draw for Ajax would in effect end the Buccaneers’ top-eight hopes given their superior goal-difference over the ailing Soweto giants.
Ajax are currently eighth on 35 points, the same as Lamontville Golden Arrows who have an inferior goal-difference. Pirates are three behind and must go for the win, which could mean they push forward and leave spaces in which Mzwakali can weave his magic.
The Cape Town-born star did achieve a notable milestone with Ajax this season when he brought up 100 appearances for the club, having come through their respected development system and made his debut in 2013.
”I am very happy with the progress I have made at the club, I won the MTN8 title with the team, we were runners-up in the Nedbank Cup, and as a youngster I won the Copa Amsterdam in the Netherlands,” he said. “I haven’t achieved that much though, but I am still young and there is still a lot of time to achieve.”
Mzwakali made it clear he wanted to move to Chiefs last June, but Ajax turned down the R2million offer from Naturena and he was forced to stay.
But any bitterness was put aside in November when he signed a new contract up to June 2018, with an option for two more years after that.
On his day there are few more skilful players on the ball in the PSL and he can conjure chances from tight situations with his vision and accuracy of pass.
But he is also constantly criticised for his finishing, or lack thereof, which has been a theme of his career to date. And according to the likes of his former coach at Ajax, Roger de Sa, the reason why he is not playing in Europe.
De Sa stated tongue in cheek that Mzwakali “would be playing for Real Madrid” if he was more deadly in front of goal, but the point was made that a move abroad has been stifled by a lack of end product.
“Bantu is a guy that gets the most chances and scores the least goals,” De Sa said last year. “We keep on hoping that he turns it over, we keep on coaching him and training him in the hope that he turns those opportunities into goals.
“Nobody else gets those opportunities, he’s got a knack to make runs and his timing is perfect, it’s just that final touch.”
Three goals this season suggests more work needs to be done, but as long as he keeps laying on chances for others, he remains a valuable member of the Ajax side.