If history is anything to go by, the odds are in favour of Ajax Cape Town for their Coca-Cola Cup first-round match against Dynamos at Newlands Stadium on Wednesday.
The match, which will follow the clash between Hellenic and Jomo Cosmos, is one the Urban Warriors should win — at least if past records are what determines results.
Since their inception in 1999, when Cape Town Spurs merged with Seven Stars to form Ajax Cape Town, the club have participated in only two Coca-Cola Cup competitions and in both cases they advanced past the first round.
In 2001, they stunned Orlando Pirates 2-0 in their first game, before going out against city rivals Santos on a golden goal in the quarterfinals. Last year, they outplayed Sundowns in Pretoria 3-1 in the first round, beat Black Leopards on penalties in the next, but then went out in the round of the last four against Chiefs 1-0.
Coach Gordon Igesund says he is aware that Cup games have a history of their own.
”It is very difficult to predict Cup games. Teams know they have only one shot and you don’t get a second chance to undo a failure. We will go all out to win the game against Dynamos as a start of a good Cup run.”
But if Ajax expect an easy passage, they should ask SuperSport United, who faced the team from the Northern Province in the first round last season.
United were the overwhelming favourites at home, but at the end of 90 minutes, Dynamos went into the draw for the next round after a 1-0 victory.
Although they went out in the quarterfinals against eventual winners Cosmos, they had tasted enough to want more this year — and to achieve that, they have to beat Ajax.
The two teams have met once already this season and that time around, Ajax won a tough encounter at the Giyani Stadium 2-1.
But as everybody knows, the Coca-Cola Cup has a life of its own. The only thing that is certain is that it is bound to get football fans from the Limpopo to the Cape talking, dreaming and watching soccer — good soccer played with flair and passion.
Godfrey Mbingo, senior brand manager of Coca-Cola, promises an entertaining evening.
”The Coca-Cola red couches will be at Newlands and selected supporters will get the opportunity to watch the games from the best seats in the house. The Coca-Cola music rig will also be there to entertain the rest of the fans.”
Mbingo is also hoping that flair, in the form of plenty of goals, will be seen.
”The 2003 Coca-Cola Cup is yet to give something to our charities, Hope Worldwide and Starfish, in our Goals for Charity programme. With the incentive of R10 000 on offer for every goal over two, hopefully the teams will produce the goods on Wednesday. If this happens, half the funding will go to the nominated charities.” — Sapa
The full Coca-Cola Cup first-round programme:
Wednesday October 15 2003
Newlands Stadium 6.30pm: Hellenic vs Jomo Cosmos
Newlands Stadium 8.30pm: Ajax Cape Town vs Dynamos
Saturday October 18 2003
Thohoyandou Stadium 4pm: Black Leopards vs Wits University
Kings Park Soccer Stadium 2.45pm: Golden Arrows vs Zulu Royals
Sunday October 19 2003
Chatsworth Stadium 3.15pm: Manning Rangers vs Orlando Pirates