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ERTUGRAL: I DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE THE BOYS AND TEAM AT THIS MOMENT
Michaelson Gumede
Whatever the outcome of the Tendai Ndoro saga, Ajax Cape Town coach Muhsin Ertugral has vowed to remain with the club next season.
The Urban Warriors were automatically relegated to the National First Division, after they were docked points following their use of Zimbabwean striker Ndoro in matches against SuprSport United, Platinum Stars and Polokwane City.
Ndoro, under Fifa rules, was ineligible to play in the colours of Ajax this campaign, having already represented Orlando Pirates and Saudi Arabian side Al-Faisly in the same season.
Ajax are now trying to get Mokhari’s decision overturned in court, with judge Denise Fisher on Friday reserving her judgment in the South Gauteng High Court. If Ajax succeed, they could be restored to 15th place in the Absa Premiership, which would make them eligible to play in the promotion play-offs.
As it stands, Leopards have already won the play-offs after Ajax failed with a High Court interdict to get the match stopped.
“The whole issue is not finished because along the way it has a lot of procedures and mistakes and I believe the mistakes will be for the last time,” Ertugral said.
“At this point and with my experience in international football, it’s not a time for me to look at other clubs but use the experience I have to stand in front of the boys and try to lift them up,” said Ertugral, who has never coached in the NFD, having previously led Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates and Golden Arrows.
“I do not want to leave the boys and the team alone at this moment that they need me the most,” he added.
The Turkish-born mentor says he has already begun pre-season preparations with the Mother City-based side, as he is focused on motivating his team in anticipation of the court verdict.
“We have started the season already a bit early so the boys can have their pre-season. For me now it is standing in front of those boys and tell them to lift their heads up.
“This is not for me, it is for the boys and for the team because the team is important to the club in South African football.”