Returnee Fagrie gets a chance to shine

AFTER a spell out in the cold, Fagrie Lakay is re-energised, and he is slowly regaining the promise he showed when earning the accolade of becoming the youngest player to have worn the Bafana jersey. And it has necessitated a return to the Mother City to revitalise the young striker, originally from Manenberg.

The 20-year-old is on loan from SuperSport United to Ajax Cape Town – and he has very quickly made his presence felt with some crucial goals, while his energy and hard-running style have been invaluable to the Cape side.

Tonight, Lakay is looking to continue the good form he has shown when Ajax face Pirates in a Nedbank Cup last 32 clash at the Orlando Stadium (8.15pm). It is particularly his pace which will be vital to coach Muhsin Ertugral’s plan to put one over his former club again. Ajax defeated the Buccaneers 3-0 in a league fixture at the Cape Town Stadium last week.

Lakay came to prominence as a sprightly, much-admired teenager at Santos in 2014. His exploits for the Cape club and the SA U-20 squad brought him to national attention, and he was quickly taken up into the senior Bafana squad at the age of 17. Other clubs were alerted to the prowess of the youngster and it was SuperSport who landed his signature in 2015. Ever since, though, it had gone quiet. The player’s career hadn’t really progressed, hence his arrival at Ajax as an opportunity for more regular game time.

“As they say, home will always be home,” said Lakay. “I’ve come to Ajax because I want to contribute. I wouldn’t like to see this team go down to the First Division, so I will always do my best to ensure the team is doing well and we get the results we need. I’ve just told myself that I want to score for the team – and, if I can’t, then I want to make sure I create opportunities for other players.”

In Pirates, though Lakay is fully aware Ajax are in for a difficult challenge. They know Pirates are still hurt by last week’s loss.

“This one won’t be easy,” said Lakay. “They will have something to prove and they will come all out to beat us this time. But we have prepared well, the guys are excited and I think this is going to be a good game.”

Lakay was also very happy to be working with Ertugral. He believes that, as a young, emerging footballer still making his way in the game, he couldn’t have asked for a better coach.

“He is one of the best coaches I have worked with. He is always prepared, he knows what he is doing, and every training session is always related to what we will be doing in the game at the weekend.”

Ertugral, in fact, has already highlighted a weak- ness in Lakay’s game, and he has focused the player’s mind on improving that particular aspect.

“Fagrie... I remember from when he was 17, when he was a real upcoming talent,” said the Ajax coach. “He is still learning – he is good at going forward, but has to be better when he has his back to defenders.”

So, with Lakay’s pace and power always a threat to opposing defenders, Ertugral is now developing the striker’s allround game. In the end, the aim is to make sure that Lakay is just as effective when things are tight, or when he comes up against quick, intelligent defenders.

The other Cape side in Nedbank Cup last 32 action today is Second Division Steenberg United, who will be up against Orbit College FC at Parow Park (3.30pm).

FAGRIE LAKAY