Ajax youngsters schooled by Downs’ wise heads

FOR the second time in three months, Mamelodi Sundowns got the better of Ajax Cape Town in a final. Yesterday in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, in the climax of a four-team Charity Tournament, Sundowns’ vast experience and class had too much firepower for a rookie Ajax line-up in a 3-1 victory.

In May earlier this year, in the final of the Nedbank Cup in Port Elizabeth, Sundowns defeated Ajax on penalties after the match had ended in a goalless draw. In yesterday’s pre- season event, in the opening semi-finals, Sundowns defeated the University of Pretoria 2-0, while Ajax defeated newly-promoted Jomo Cosmos by the same scoreline, courtesy of two goals from Bantu Mzwakali.

Ajax fielded two different starting teams in the event, giving a number of new, emerging youngsters much-needed biggame exposure in the final against Sundowns. The Cape side started with no less than eight under-19 players, leaving just Franklin Cale, Aidan Jenniker and Toriq Losper to provide the experience.

Five players promoted last month to the Ajax Premier Soccer League (PSL) squad from the club’s hugely successful youth development academy were included from the start – goalkeeper Darren Johnson, Sergio Kammies, Reagan Jacobs, Masilake Phohlongo and Justin Jacobus. Also included were two footballers from last season’s promoted crop, Olwethu Nguye and Yagan Sasman, as well as trialist Marcelo Mendes, a young South African-born defender, who has spent some time playing in Denmark.

The Ajax youth brigade showed some neat touches on the ball, but their inexperience cost them when Sundowns took the lead in the 10th minute. The entire Ajax side was caught ball-watching in the penalty area from a Lebogang Mokoena corner, and the Pretoria side’s Zimbabwean striker, Cuthbert Malajila, took advantage to score an easy goal.

The Capetonians weathered the early storm from Sundowns and, with five minutes to go to half-time, they were level. The lively Cale whipped in a freekick and Sundowns defender Mario Booysen, with the sun in his eyes, headed the ball into his own net.

But Ajax’s joy was to be short-lived as, two minutes later, the Pretoria team took a 2-1 lead when Liberian forward Anthony Laffor was left unmarked in the penalty area for the easiest of headers beyond a despairing Johnson.

Sundowns proceeded to dominate the second period and it was no surprise when they increased their advantage in the 68th minute, with Malajila netting his second goal of the match.