Ajax Cape Town will do well to tread lightly and banish any thoughts of complacency as they host the University of Pretoria.
|||Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town will do well to tread lightly and banish any thoughts of complacency as they prepare to host the University of Pretoria in a PSL fixture at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday (kick-off 7.30pm).
Ajax may be on a good trot at the moment under coach Roger de Sa, but a trip into the past is a savage reminder of the parlous state the Cape club was once in.
The year was 2012, the venue was the Cape Town Stadium, the opposition was the newly-promoted AmaTuks (the nickname of the University of Pretoria). The result: Ajax were soundly thrashed 5-1 and, of course, suitably embarrassed.
The consequence was Dutch coach Maarten Stekelenburg being fired and it proved to be the start of a humbling, struggling period for the Urban Warriors.
The warning has been posted - and even though Tuks haven’t been all that consistent of late and are currently languishing near the basement of the PSL standings, they are capable of rising to the occasion. Ajax have first-hand experience of just how dangerous the university side can be.
With this past weekend’s PSL fixtures postponed because of Bafana Bafana’s late arrival from two Central American friendlies, Ajax had an opportunity to give an extended break to players struggling with niggles and in need of some rest and recuperation.
They will come out fresh and invigorated for Wednesday’s clash against a team that, since 2012, they always harbour extra motivation to perform well against.
As things stand currently, Platinum Stars top the PSL standings with 14 points, followed by Mpumalanga Black Aces (14), Bloemfontein Celtic (14), Wits (13) and Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax (all on 10 points).
Tuks are third-from-bottom, having accumulated just four points from their opening six games.
Ajax’s Bafana contingent - defenders Rivaldo Coetzee and Mosa Lebusa - touched down in South Africa on Saturday.
Lebusa, especially, after a national team debut, will be keen and hyped to continue the rapid progress he has made over the last few seasons.
The 23-year-old left back started both games in Central America - against Costa Rica and Honduras - but was substituted in the second half in both. He has, however, done enough to come into Bafana contention in the future.
Still young, and still improving, he certainly is a player the national coach can pencil in as a long-term squad member.
Lebusa, originally from Welkom in the Free State, came through the hugely successful Ajax youth academy. His mature performances at junior level quickly saw him promoted to the PSL squad in 2012, and he has never looked back. He is certainly among the best left backs in the country.
Lebusa’s form and resulting elevation to Bafana level also resulted in him recently having his contract lucratively extended at Ajax.
“Mosa is a model Ajax Cape Town team player and is an example to all our academy players, proving that hard work and dedication does get results,” said Ajax Cape Town chief executive Ari Efstathiou.
There’s no doubt the Bafana experience and international exposure will greatly benefit Lebusa, and he should be bouncing with motivation and confidence when Ajax tackle AmaTuks on Wednesday.
This week’s fixtures - PSL:
Tuesday: SuperSport United v Golden Arrows; Jomo Cosmos v Kaizer Chiefs
Wednesday: Orlando Pirates v Wits; Ajax Cape Town v University of Pretoria (Athlone Stadium, 7.30pm); Bloemfontein Celtic v Mamelodi Sundowns; Black Aces v Platinum Stars; Maritzburg Utd v Chippa United; Polokwane City v Free State Stars
Telkom Knockout quarter-finals:
Saturday: Orlando Pirates v Maritzburg Utd; Black Aces v Kaizer Chiefs; SuperSport United v Golden Arrows
Sunday: Free State Stars v Mamelodi Sundowns
Cape Argus
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