Ajax coach welcomes team’s new signings

AJAX Cape Town coach Muhsin Ertugral is banking on his three new foreign imports to help get the club’s season off to a good start, but he may not be able to use any of them against BidVest Wits tomorrow night.

Finland international goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola, Latvian national team defender Ritus Krjauklis and Mozambique star Stelio Marcelino ‘‘Telinho” Ernesto will all have a big effect at the club this season, accord- ing to the coach. But Jaakkola and Krjauklis are still waiting for their work permits, while Telinho turned his ankle in training yesterday and is an injury doubt.

“I am very happy to have Anssi and Ritus here; hopefully the government will give them their work permits by tomorrow,” Ertugral said yesterday. ‘‘If not by tomorrow, then hopefully for the match against Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday.

“Anssi’s national team coach Mixu Paatelainen is a good friend of mine and we spoke about the player often. He is such a talented goalkeeper and we are very pleased to have him with us.”

Jaakkola has played previously at Italian Serie A side Siena, Czech outfit Slavia Prague, and was most recently in the Scottish Premier League with Kilmarnock before leaving them at the end of last season.

“I had a few other options open to me, but Ajax presented the best package as a club,” Jaakkola says. “It is a big club, very professional and well organised with great facilities. It is a good move for me and that is why I decided to come here.” Ertugral signed Krjauklis during his time at Lamontville Golden Arrows and the 27-year-old, who can play at centreback, left-back or as a defensive midfielder, made 17 appearances for Abafana Bes’thende before leaving at the end of the last campaign. “He is a solid player, he will bring defensive structure, he is a good signing,” Ertugral says.

Stelio has received his work permit and was in line to start against Wits tomorrow, but injured his ankle in training.