Ajax out to capitalise on Chiefs flop
Ajax Cape Town will look to build on their derby victory and take advantage of Kaizer Chiefs’ first Absa Premiership loss when they meet on Tuesday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, kick-off at 7:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).
The Urban Warriors were left smiling when they were the ones who took home the three points on the previous PSL weekend, whilst their adversaries suffered their first defeat of the season away to Platinum Stars.
With the unfamiliarity of Chiefs’ loss still fresh in their minds Ajax’s Matthew Booth admits they are ready to capitalise on the confidence given to them from their derby victory over Chippa United.
“It is a huge confidence booster (coming into the game with a Chief’s loss), although we beat Chippa but we weren’t convincing enough I feel. To have those three points from the game and to be in 12th place instead of 14th is a big difference,” said the towering defender.
“It is also nice that they (Chiefs) have come off a back of a loss plus the fact that they are looking forward to their Soweto derby could be a positive for us.
“Professionally they shouldn’t (be focusing on the derby) but ultimately we know that all the players are looking forward to it. Hopefully we can ruffle a few feathers and show we are there for business.”
One player who will be looking to cause havoc for the Cape club is Siphiwe Tshabalala who is the highest Chiefs’ goalscorer against Ajax Cape Town with four goals to his name.
“Siphiwe is always going to be a threat against any team he will play against. He is a quality player but it is the usual cliché - you can’t really focus on one player,” added Booth.
“Chiefs’ attacking force is quite formidable, so I think if we can keep them at bay we will have done half the job.”
Despite their loss, the Amakhosi still lead the log standings coming into Week 13 of the Absa Premiership and they need to get back onto the road of winning should they hope to continue edging out Orlando Pirates.
Willard Katsande is a player who used to sport the Red and White colours of the Ikamva outfit and he assures his gratitude in having Ajax launch his career will not over shadow his determination to bring home the three points.
“We are coming up against Ajax Cape Town and it is a massive game for us. We want to return to winning ways,” said the Zimbabwean midfielder.
“I will always be connected somehow to Ajax as they gave me a breakthrough here in the league but that is where it ends.
“We are going into the game with one thing on our mind - to bring back the three points to Naturena. We are taking one game at a time and there is nothing more I want to achieve, but we are not looking that far ahead. What is important is our next game.”
The previous encounter between the two outfits ended 2-0 in favour of the Soweto outfit and they will be looking to make things right following their hiccup in Rustenburg.
