Ajax aware Downs will be looking for revenge

STAYING in the game for as long as possible will be the recipe for any potential upset success over Mamelodi Sundowns‚ Ajax Cape Town coach Stanley Menzo said ahead of their Premier Soccer League clash against the champions at Loftus Versfeld today.

“It will be very difficult if you see how they have won in their last three games‚” Menzo said.

“We played well against them when we played them at home [Ajax beat Sundowns 2-0 in the league in late November] and they are a team who suit us.”

Menzo said he was well aware that Pitso Mosimane and his charges would be out for revenge after their defeat in the first round.

“It will be a mental thing to have the belief that we can match them and stay competitive,” Menzo said.

“We are not a big top team but we can do much better than we have been doing.

“Let’s hope our draw against Arrows in our last game gives us the push we need.

“We have been gaining some points but it is still important for us to get wins.”

Menzo’s side have just a single success in 10 games and are only five points above the relegation zone.

“Sundowns away is an opportunity for us but then we have Platinum Stars at home on Sunday and that is where we have to get three points,” Menzo said.

Meanwhile, a mark of a champion team is how they find quality to replace quality.

Mamelodi Sundown’s Motjeka Madisha may not be everybody’s cup of tea at centreback but in Wayne Arendse’s absence‚ it’s about getting the job done.

The Brazilians’ excellent defensive organisation has seen them concede the least number of goals this season, but Madisha’s introduction has added a new element.

As good as Madisha knows he will be in the future‚ he is aware that being a starter in Sundowns’ crack defensive unit requires a fair bit of patience.

Having won the man-of-thematch award in last week’s 1-0 win against SuperSport United‚ Madisha is expected to play a crucial role in Sundowns’ date with Ajax Cape Town.

If Cape Town City and SuperSport United drop points against Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits respectively in what could be the Premier Soccer League’s most crucial and exciting match-day this season‚ Sundowns could go top on goal difference.

Sundowns are fourth with 44 points with log-leaders Cape Town City two points ahead.

Chiefs and Wits are tied on 45 points with Wits ahead on goal difference.

“When I thought I was ready‚ I was told I must not rush things and getting a national team call up wasn’t a sign of me being ready‚” Madisha said.

“It’s been an honour to work with coaches like Manqoba Mnqithi‚ Pitso Mosimane and Rhulani Mokoena.

“They’ve been telling me to keep pushing because my time will come.”

While the national team is stocked with quality defenders like Chiefs’ Erick Mathoho and Ajax’s Rivaldo Coetzee‚ Madisha knows he may have to wait his turn.

Madisha’s old head on his 22-year-old shoulders also means Mosimane and company have their fingers on the pulse when it comes to a succession plan. – Additional reporting by Khanyiso Tshwaku