Perhaps the Cup will be Ajax’s reward for all those ‘not-for-sale’ signs
AJAX Cape Town are reaping the rewards of holding on to their young stars.
On Saturday, the Cape side heads into the MTN8 final against Kaizer Chiefs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth (3pm) – and young, 22-year-old captain Travis Graham is revelling not only in the quality and depth of the current squad, but also the unity of spirit that permeates the team as a whole.
Always regarded as a “selling club”, Ajax have, over the last two seasons, decided to stabilise things, preferring to keep their top-class players, despite quite a bit of interest both locally and abroad. Players like Rivaldo Coetzee, Mosa Lebusa, Graham, Riyaad Norodien, Bantu Mzwakali and Abbubaker Mobara have all been linked to offers, but Ajax have steadfastly put up the “not-for-sale” sign – and their decision is slowly starting to pay dividends.
Last season, they finished fifth on the PSL log and they made it to the Nedbank Cup final in May; now they are logleaders and into another Cup final.
“There have been a few additions to the squad this season, but, importantly, the core of last season’s regular starting side is still around,” said Graham. “The club hasn’t sold any of the key players, and that leads to stability and consistency. And I think that is why you are now seeing a turnaround in results and greater consistency in performances.
“The coach’s (Roger de Sa) philosophy is always to just focus on the next game. We don’t look too far ahead, and that is why it doesn’t really matter who plays, everybody is there for each other in the squad. We know that the squad assembled at the club is very strong, there are many good players, it’s not easy to play each and every game… And that competition for places brings the best out of us.”
Graham has bitter-sweet memories of the final in May, when Ajax were beaten on penalties by Mamelodi Sundowns. He, himself, played a blinder, but the feeling of disappointment after the defeat still lingers.
“It wasn’t great to be on the losing side last time,” said Graham. “That is why it is good to be in another final so soon… it gives us an opportunity to try to experience the other side this time.
“It won’t be easy, though,” added the central midfielder. “Chiefs have a great history in South African football, they are always challenging for everything and have a very good squad of footballers. We are, obviously, the underdogs, we have a lot to prove as a such a young squad.
“But I think the experience of the last final will be good for us. We will definitely be better prepared. Last time, the buildup, the hype and the occasion proved a bit too big for us, and perhaps we struggled with the pressure. This time, we know what to expect, so hopefully we can go out and play our best football, to bring back some silverware…
“We certainly want to be successful on Saturday, for the club, the supporters and for ourselves. The feeling of being on the winning side is something we would love to add to our experience.”
While Graham admitted that Chiefs are a tough side to play, he thought the popular Soweto side was vulnerable at this particular time.
“This is a good time to play Chiefs,” he said. “I think they are still in the process of adapting to the coaching change (from Stuart Baxter to Steve Komphela) and they are definitely struggling in defence. If we can take the scoring opportunities that come our way, we can put them under pressure.”
This is a good time to play Chiefs. I think they are still in the process of adapting to the coaching change and they are definitely struggling in defence.”