Ajax Cape Town are on top of the Absa Premiership and of the world as they prepare for this Saturday’s Telkom Knockout final against Orlando Pirates at Durban’s Chatsworth Stadium.
The Urban Warriors edged out the Buccaneers 1-0 in a disappointing Premiership clash played at the Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday night that took Ajax to the top of the table for the first time this season and gave the Cape Town giants a massive boost seven days before their cup final showdown.
An elated Ajax coach Craig Roslee said: ”This win was like a six pointer to us. It gives us a big edge psychologically going into the cup final. It has boosted our confidence levels sky high. Had we lost it would have been a different ball game. But the victory is important in that we know that we have beaten Pirates in their backyard and can do it at a neutral venue a second time in as many weeks. I am really happy with the effort my boys put in against Pirates. It all augers well for a great cup final.”
Roslee said that the key to success was his team’s tactical shape and discipline. ”We never felt in any danger against Pirates. They did not play well and that must be a worry to their coach.”
The only goal as netted by Mabhuti Khenyeza in the 63rd minute.
Ajax top the standings with 22 points from 11 matches and replace Golden Arrows as the new leaders after the Durban-based club were beaten 2-0 by defending champions SuperSport United at home also on Saturday. United are second on 21 points.
Said Roslee: ”Playing Pirates in the league away then in the cup final was going to be tough. We have been on the road now for five weeks and the players have shown real character. We have got over the first major hurdle by taking three points away from Pirates at their home. It was not easy winning in front of a partisan crowd. But once we got going we never looked back. It was a really good dress rehearsal for the cup final.”
The only sour note for Roslee was the booking his right back Eduardo Ferreira picked up in the 30th minute for diving. It was the Brazilian defender’s third booking and he misses the final through an automatic one match suspension.
But Ajax are considering appealing the booking. Said the Urban Warriors coach: ”It was slippery out there because of the earlier rain. I will have a look at the video as I believe Ferreira slipped and we may win an appeal and get the yellow card rescinded.”
But even if the booking stands, Roslee has a top-class replacement in Martin Carelse. Said Roslee: ”Carelse was one of my best defenders before he was injured in the Arrows match. He is more than ready to come back so I am not too concerned as we have depth.” Ajax will be strengthened
for the final by the return of striker Sifiso Vilakazi who netted a hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Free State Stars in the Knockout semifinals and magical midfielder Sameehg Doutie.
”Vilakazi showed what a talent he is scoring three against Stars while Doutie is class and gives us that extra skill factor,” added Roslee.
Krol shrugged off the disappointment of losing at home. Pirates lacked organisation. Said the former Dutch captain: ”It will be a whole new ball game in the final. The atmosphere, everything will be different. We will also have players going back from suspension and maybe from injury. But I was disappointed by the way we played. This was not a good performance form Pirates.”
Bucs captain Lehlohonono Seema, Teko Modise and Bennett Modise are all out on bookings and were rested while striker Gilbert Mushangazhike and Lebo Mothibantwa were suspended. Also missing were injured defender Innocent Mdledle and midfielder Thulasizwe Mbuyane. – Sapa