Margeman getting ‘stronger’ with every game
AJAX CAPE TOWN will have to tackle PSL log leaders Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday night without exciting 18-year-old prospect Grant Margeman.
Margeman was yesterday named in the South Africa Under-20 squad to do duty at the 2017 Caf U20 Africa Cup of Nations, taking place in Zambia. The tournament will be held from 26 February to 12 March in the Zambian cities of Lusaka and Ndola, and the SA U20s are in a group with Cameroon, Senegal and Sudan.
The teenager from Bonteheuwel, who recently matriculated at Modderdam High School, had, in fact, been in camp with the provisional U20 squad when Ajax coach Stanley Menzo made an official request to the national coach Thabo Senong that the player be released for the weekend’s game against Polokwane City.
The response was positive, Margeman was allowed to join the Cape side in Polokwane, and he proceeded to deliver another solid, mature performance, netting his team’s goal in a 1-1 draw.
Senong yesterday trimmed the provisional U20 squad to 21 players as the official group set to represent SA in Zambia. On form, Margeman was an easy inclusion, which means that Ajax will miss the talented youngster not just for the Chiefs clash but for the next few weeks as well.
“It’s going good with the U20s,” said Margeman.
“We have prepared well and had our last international friendly on Sunday, which we drew 1-1 against Mali. But I think we have a strong team going into the tournament…
“As for Ajax, it will be a tough match against Chiefs on Saturday, but I obviously won’t be there because of my selection in the Afcon U20 squad. I will be leaving with the team on Thursday for Zambia.”
Last week, in the Cape derby, Margeman came on as a second-half substitute and injected a bit more energy and enthusiasm into the team’s performance. At the weekend, he continued the momentum with a well-taken goal.
“It felt amazing scoring my second goal of the season,” he said.
“I think with the more games that I’m playing I’m getting more and more stronger, both physically and mentally. I’m starting to read the game better, and understanding what the coach wants from me.”