Ajax know what’s expected, says Paulse

AJAX CAPE TOWN are able to draw confidence from a great victory in the CAF Confederation Cup and use it to spark their ailing PSL campaign.

Currently in 10th position on the league standings, Ajax have a tricky PSL away game against Polokwane City today (kickoff 3.30pm). If the Urban Warriors want to improve and move up, a positive result in Limpopo is not negotiable.

Last weekend’s 2-1 win over GD Sangrada Esperanca in Angola in the preliminary round of the Confederation Cup, however, has been a major boost for Ajax. Coach Roger de Sa gave many fringe players a run and they still managed to emerge victorious.

With a few players putting their hands up to be picked more regularly, De Sa faces a healthy selection headache.

The one man who won’t be available, though, is striker Nathan Paulse who fractured his forearm two weeks ago and was operated on last week.

With Paulse recuperating, De Sa has Prince Nxumalo and Thomas Chideu to call on in attack, while the return of the Tashreeq Morris provides him with another option.

“The arm is healing and it’s now just a case of keeping fit and maintaining my fitness,” Paulse said. “At least, with the problem being my arm, I am able to do quite a bit as far as fitness is concerned.

“The win in the Confedera- tion Cup was good for the team, especially taking into consideration all the drama that preceded our participation … it was only at the last moment that we were given the goahead. But the competition is great exposure for the youngsters in the squad. I’ve been there before, I know how useful it is to use the experience to grow as a player.

“I’m just hoping that we can continue in the competition and that, when I return from this injury, I can look forward to more adventures in Africa with the club.”

With a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, Ajax take on Sangrada in the second leg at Athlone Stadium next week.

But the main focus is on today’s fixture in Polokwane, where Paulse is hoping his strike partner Nxumalo can continue his great run of form.

Nxumalo had issues with epilepsy last year, which is now being controlled by medication. He has returned to the team hungry, scoring some crucial goals in the last few weeks.

Also in with an opportunity, in the absence of Paulse is recent Zimbabwean signing, Chideu. The young forward played against Sangrada at the weekend and is desperate for more opportunities to prove he can succeed in the PSL

Paulse backs his teammates and, while Ajax’s results have been up and down in recently, he is confident they can finish the season off in style.

“We made it to the final of last season’s Nedbank Cup and there’s no reason why we can’t do so again,” he said. “We also won the MTN8 this season, but that’s all in the past now. Teams know about us and are aware of what we are capable of.

“So our approach is just to take things one game at a time. We cannot look too far ahead, we just have to stay fit, work hard and stay humble.

“Obviously, as a squad, there are goals. The coach doesn’t have to tell us, we know what is expected. I would think that we have to finish in a topeight position in the PSL at the end of the season, while anything higher than top five would be excellent.

“Of course, another great run in the Nedbank Cup would be the cherry on top.”