Beaten Nedbank Cup semi-finalists Ajax Cape Town, aim to pick up the pieces when they host Platinum Stars in a crunch Absa Premiership clash to be staged at Newlands on Wednesday night. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
A jaded Urban Warriors were beaten 2-1 after extra time by First Division giant killers Pretoria University in their Cup semi-final showdown played at Milpark on Sunday afternoon.
Said Ajax coach Craig Roslee: ”We are a bit down, but we have to get over the loss as we need at least six points from our last three league matches to finish in the top eight at the end of the season.”
Roslee said he would rest some players for the Stars game: ”I will have to rotate the squad as some players looked tired against Tukkies. I will have defender Nazeer Allie and midfielders Nhlanhla Shabalala and Eric Bisser (who all missed the clash against Tuks) all available for the Stars game. I will give a few players the night off, including my defender, Eduardo Ferreira, who suffered a bad head cut against Tukkies.
”He showed unbelievable courage in finishing the game despite being injured late in the first half. But I reckon he will need a lot of stitches to his head wound and deserves a break.”
But Roslee will not be taking Stars lightly. ”We have had a bit of a rough ride lately with a lot of travelling up and down the country. It has taken its toll but we have two of our three matches at home and I have targetted six points to finish on 47 for the season which would enable us to qualify for the MTN 8 trophy next season. That is our new goal.”
Playing at Newlands will suit Ajax. ”Newlands is a good ground for us. It is a home from home and the players enjoy playing there and I reckon we will recover and despite only getting to Cape Town on Monday, we will be fighting fit by Wednesday night.”
Stars showed a return to form when they hammered Maritzburg United 4-0 in their last league outing at Potchefstroom´s Olen Park to end all their relegation fears.
Stars still believe that they too can qualify for the top eight but to stand any chance of a top eight finish they would have to collect maximum points from their remaining four fixtures including Wednesday´s clash against wounded Ajax. — Sapa