Kickoff (Cape Town)
7 January 2009
The 2008/09 Absa Premiership season will resume this evening when Ajax Cape Town and Santos meet in the Cape Derby at the Athlone Stadium, kick-off 19h30.
The Urban Warriors topped the log over the festive season break, and they will be keen to stretch their lead over SuperSport United, Bidvest Wits and Golden Arrows by winning this game that they have in hand.
However, the Peoples' Team are just five points adrift of their cross-town rivals and a victory would bring them right into contention for League honours at the start of the New Year.
Both sides ended off 2008 on a positive note. Ajax beat Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 at home, while Santos picked up an even more impressive result with their 1-0 win away to SuperSport.
After this home game the Urban Warriors have two successive matches away in KwaZulu-Natal against Thanda Royal Zulu and Maritzburg United.
The Peoples Team have tough back-to-back home games against title contenders Golden Arrows and Bidvest Wits.
The teams have met a total of 23 times in all competitions since Ajax Cape Town's formation in 1999/2000.
The team in red and white have had the better of Santos over the years, winning 11 games to their rivals' nine, though the goals scored are dead even at 24 apiece.
In the League, Ajax have won eight of the 18 matches (seven wins to Santos), though it is Santos who have been marginally more prolific in front of goal; 21 goals scored to Ajax's 20.
The nine home League games that Ajax have 'hosted' (a relative term considering that the teams have often shared the same venue down the years), their record is W3 D3 L3 F10 A12.
Last term it was Santos who had the better of the Cape Derby, winning their home match 2-1, and then holding Ajax to a 1-1 draw in the return game later in the season.
Meanwhile, Santos' coach Major David Bright says there is nothing special in their derby game against Ajax Cape Town today.
Talking to KickOff.com, the Botswana-borm coach said that to him the Cape Derby is just like any other match and he would plan just as he had for other games.
"We will play the way we played against SuperSport United or Kaizer Chiefs. I will not put in an extra effort in preparing for this game."
He says since his squad is injury free he will have all players fighting for selection and that to him is a motivation on its own.
"There are no players injured as well as no-one suspended and that is reason enough to smile about. The players know that we ended the year on a high note and we have to start it just like we ended it," he says.
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