De Sa weighs his attacking options
HOW times can change in football. Two weeks ago, after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Polokwane City in which Ajax Cape Town squandered numerous scoring opportunities, coach Roger de Sa didn’t know where his next goal was going to come from.
Now, as Ajax prepare to take on Chippa United in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) fixture at the Cape Town Stadium tonight (kick-off 8pm), De Sa is spoilt for choice in attack. Not only does he have his forwards in scoring form, but two influential strikers – Nathan Paulse and Tashreeq Morris – also return from injury.
Over the weekend, the Capetonians hammered Third Division side Mainstay United 9-1 in a Nedbank Cup tie in Kimberley. On the scoresheet were Franklin Cale, Toriq Losper, Noah Sadaoui and Robin Ngalande. In addition, new signing Erwin Isaacs started his first game for his new club, after signing from Wits last month, and he’s also looking sharp and hungry.
All of this has De Sa tearing his hair out in selecting the attackers for tonight’s fixture.
Logic suggests Morris will come straight back into the team after recovering from injury. It’s no secret the Mitchell’s Plain striker is highly rated by the Ajax coach. Morris, when fit, is always the first name on De Sa’s team sheet and, chances are, that he will again lead the line against Chippa this evening.
It’s picking the other attacking names that is giving the coach a headache as far as selection is concerned.
Malawian Ngalande and Moroccan-American Sadaoui have been waiting in the wings for quite a while this season. De Sa has always praised their work ethic, professionalism and ability, saying that the duo are working hard and will get their opportunities.
Last week, both came off the bench and produced energetic, enthusiastic performances, with both scoring two goals each. The message to De Sa was clear: Ngalande and Sadaoui are ready to step into the limelight of a starting berth in the side.
“I was pleased to score two goals over the weekend,” said Ngalande. “It has been a long time since I scored … The match, the game and the goals gave me confidence and I’m ready whenever the team needs me.”
Ngalande, though, admitted that, irrespective of who played this evening, Chippa would be tough, competitive opposition.
“Chippa won’t be easy, they’ve had a decent season so far in the league,” said the Malawian, who spent two years (2010-2012) on the books of top Spanish club Atletico Madrid. “But they lost out in the Nedbank Cup at the weekend, so they’ll be desperate to make amends. They’ll be motivated and ready for us, but we just have to focus on our game, and make sure that we get the three points.”
The other decision De Sa has to deal with is in defence, though it’s not as crucial and difficult as the one he faces up front. Mosa Lebusa, who can play at left-back or centre-back, is suspended after picking up a fourth yellow card against Mainstay United.
“We played a flat back-four against Mainstay,” said De Sa. “But we could probably change things and opt to play only three at the back against Chippa.”