Kickoff (Cape Town)
11 December 2008
Ajax Cape Town players are high on confidence going into Saturday's Telkom Knockout final against Orlando Pirates at Chatsworth Stadium, in Durban.
Speaking to KickOff.com the Urban Warriors midfielder Mkhanyiseli Siwahla said even though they will be happy to celebrate Christmas with a little bit of extra cash in their pockets, the prospect of lifting the trophy high after the final whistle was more inviting.
"There is a lot at stake besides the prize money, or the R2-million bonus that we have been promised. Our players are going to the final to fight for pride. We want to get our hands on the trophy."
Defender Martin Carelse, who has been recalled to replace suspended Eduardo Ferreira, shares the same sentiments as the Khayelitsha-born midfielder.
"We are not going to be remembered for the money that we will get, but by our success in winning the trophy. So our mission is to go to Durban and bring back the trophy."
The Urban Warriors have reason to be confident following their 1-0 victory over Pirates in the league last weekend.
Additionally, their morale will be further boosted by the return of winger Sameehg Doutie and striker Sifiso Vilakazi, who both missed the game due to suspension.
Doutie has been outstanding this season down the right wing for the Warriors with his telling runs and accurate crosses into the box, while Vilakazi has formed a formidable partnership upfront with Khenyeza which led to a Vilakazi hat-trick in the Telkom Knockout semifinal win over Free State Stars.
But the absence of Ferreira at the back due to suspension will be a setback. The Brazilian has proved influential this season both in defense and upfront in set pieces with his aerial presence.
They will also miss Mfundo Shumana, who has shown some good early season form in his attacking midfield role, due to injury.
Despite Ajax's confidence one must remember that the Buccaneers side that they faced at Johannesburg Stadium a week ago was a weakened side that missed a lot of key players.
However, come Saturday evening, Pirates' influential playmaker Teko Modise, captain Lehlohonolo Seema, Gilbert Mushangazhike, Bennett Chenene and Lebogang Mothibantwa will all be back in action after missing the dress rehearsal.
Pirates will still be without left-back Innocent Mdledle and midfielder Thulasizwe Mbuyane, who are both out for the rest of the year because of injury.
The last time the two clubs met in a cup competition was in last season's SAA Supa8 first round where Pirates dispatched of Ajax with a comfortable 2-0 win thanks to goals from Chenene and Rudzani Ramudzuli.
Things will not be this easy this time round as the pressure mounts on Ruud Krol and his side, because the last time the Sea Robbers won some major silverware was eight years ago when they lifted the old Top Eight Cup in 2000.
Added to this he is currently in the process of resolving a goalkeeping dilemma as Senzo Meyiwa, who has played in place of Moeneeb Josephs, who was out with a broken nose, for the past six weeks, missed training on Wednesday due to a bout of flu.
But the former SA under-23 keeper has not been convincing in deputising for the Bafana Bafana number two keeper, who fortunately for the Ghost has been back at training since last week and is fully fit.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Kickoff. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
