D’Avray will need all of his wiles and nous
MICH D’AVRAY has the task of trying to spin all the negativity around Ajax Cape Town into something more encouraging when they host SuperSport United in a PSL fixture at Cape Town Stadium tomorrow (8.15pm kickoff).
Yesterday, Roger de Sa quit as Ajax coach after the team had failed to win in its opening seven games. Former Cape Town Spurs coach D’Avray, who had been De Sa’s assistant, now takes charge in the interim until the club’s management makes a decision on a permanent replacement.
And, despite De Sa’s resignation, the heat is still on. The Urban Warriors are still second from bottom on the log, are desperately in search of their first victory, and the struggles that have ailed them are all still there. So when Ajax step on to the field against SuperSport tomorrow, it’s an opportunity to turn things around.
D’Avray won’t lack for knowledge and experience. A successful mentor with Spurs in Cape Town and Perth Glory in Australia, he will need all of his wiles and nous to energise an Ajax squad lacking in belief and confidence at the moment.
Ajax lost to SuperSport in the Telkom Knockout last weekend and tomorrow they face the in-form Pretoria side again. All the Urban Warriors can do is to keep going and hope that Lady Luck will finally turn her winsome countenance and flash a broad smile at them.
It won’t be easy, though. While Ajax are wallowing in the basement, Matsatsantsa are in a lofty fifth position.
Over on the other side of the Mother City, neighbours Cape Town City are preparing for a daunting league clash against recently-crowned African champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus on Sunday (3.30pm kickoff).
City haven’t been in the best of form of late but based on their performances this season, it’s evident that they reserve their best for the so-called big clubs. They’ve beaten Kaizer Chiefs and they outplayed Orlando Pirates in a goalless away draw.
With Sundowns probably still on a high, City have another chance to humble an illustrious opponent.
PSL fixtures Tonight: Maritzburg Utd v Golden Arrows; Chippa United v Platinum Stars. Tomorrow: Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs; Ajax Cape Town v SuperSport United (Cape Town Stadium, 8.15pm); Bloemfontein Celtic v Wits Sunday: Mamelodi Sundowns v Cape Town City (Loftus, 3.30pm); Baroka FC v Polokwane City; Highlands Park v Free State Stars.