Ajax duo out to rock Pirates boat
IN A major boost for Ajax Cape Town, Mark Mayambela and Prince Nxumalo have been declared fit to face Orlando Pirates in their first home Premier Soccer League game tonight.
Both Mayambela, who previously played for Chippa United, and Nxumalo came through training sessions on Sunday and yesterday without any ill-effects after being on the injury list and both are fighting fit ahead of tonight’s clash.
Their presence will certainly bolster a youthful coastal side‚ who have promoted seven academy players this season and look short of big-match experience as they prepare to face Bucs.
Mayambela‚ signed after an extended trial period‚ had looked likely to miss out on a reunion with his former Pirates teammates after he felt a twinge in his hamstring during a practice match last week.
Coach Roger de Sa put him off training until Sunday but in two sessions since he has come through without any ill-effects and looks likely to get a chance to show Pirates what they are missing out on since letting him go.
Nxumalo also had a hamstring injury that saw him withdraw from the Bafana Bafana squad for the recent internationals against Mauritania and Egypt.
He was back in training over the weekend and is also fancied to make the starting lineup‚ especially since Ajax have lost Tashreeq Morris to another long-term injury.
A hip flexor injury‚ however‚ will keep the Kenyan international defender Ali Abondo on the sidelines.
Ajax‚ who were unable to defend their MTN8 title because of a poor finish in the league last season‚ began their new campaign with a 1-1 draw away against Baroka FC in Polokwane last month.
Today’s game against Pirates their second of the season.
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune has called on his teammates to raise their game as he admitted that they are failing themselves at the moment.
Amakhosi have come under fire for their performances in their defeats to Bidvest Wits and Cape Town City, results which have put coach Steve Komphela under even more pressure.
It does not get any easier for Amakhosi, who host Platinum Stars at FNB Stadium tomorrow (7.30pm). Khune says they will be on a mission to win their supporters back when they face a Dikwena team that generally gives Amakhosi problems.
“Problems have been with us as players. I think we are not pushing hard enough. We are failing ourselves as a team. I would not point fingers to certain departments because it will break the team. We’ve got no one else to blame but ourselves,” said Khune yesterday before the team’s training session at FNB Stadium.
“We have been working hard at training and it has to show on Wednesday. We are playing at home and we need to win our supporters back. The fans are on our backs and they’ve got every right to do that. It’s all about results.”
The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper added: “There’s been many seasons where we were under pressure, but we got ourselves out of it. That’s what we need to do right now.”
Amakhosi have defender Mulomowandau Mathoho back in training and Khune is delighted to have his Bafana Bafana teammate back in training after recovering from injury.
“Tower is a very important member of the back four.” is