Tshepo Molwane
7 January 2009
Derbies across the world always attract a lot of attention from the football fraternity.
It will be no different when Ajax Cape Town host neighbours Santos in the Absa Premiership game scheduled for the Athlone Stadium. The game will surely be a rousing attraction here as there will be a Motswana coach and three players involved in the game which will divide the South African 'Mother City' in half. Ajax have in their books, Zebras' talisman, Diphetogo 'Dipsy' Selolwane, while on the opposing side, Santos are coached by Major David Bright and they are captained by Mogogi Gabonamong with Jerome 'JJ' Ramatlhakwana leading the attack.
On paper, Ajax are clear favourites to win the game but the problem with derbies is that form and history count for nothing.
The Urban Warriors have been in scintillating form winning the Telkom Knockout Cup beating Orlando Pirates 2-1 last month thus winning R4.25m in prize-money. To show their class, Ajax closed the year on top of the Premier League with 26 points from 13 points, beating big spenders Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0. If there is a player who has played a big role in these achievements, it is Selolwane, who, despite being drafted into the midfield, has played like a seasoned player alongside youngster, Nhlanhla Shabalala.
After earlier complaints that coach Craig Rosslee does not field Selolwane regularly, the coach has since given the player a lifeline and Selolwane has not disappointed. Reports say that lately, despite the return of Clifford Ngobeni from injury, Selolwane is amongst the first players on Rosslee's line-up. In an interview with Selolwane after their morning session yesterday, he said, "I am happy that I am back playing, and there is no point getting worried by other things. I am also enjoying the role which has been given to me".
The soft-spoken international said that tonight's game will be different because he will be facing fellow countrymen in Bright, Gabonamong and Ramatlhakwana. "But I have a job to do and there will no friendship during the game," he told Mmegi Sport. Selolwane played for Santos when he arrived in South Africa and it will be interesting to see how he performs against his former employers Santos, after a slow start, picked up the pieces towards the end of the year and closed in fifth position with 21 points from 13 games. The poor start put pressure on Bright and the South African media reported that it would not be long before he was shown the door.
But things changed for the better and Bright went on a winning streak claiming the scalps of giants, Kaizer Chiefs and champions, SuperSport United along the way. In tonight's game, Bright knows that winning the game will make his side close the gap with the frontrunners. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, Gabonamong said that everything is fine in their camp and they will treat Ajax like any other opponent. He said the presence of Bright and Ramatlhakwana has made things easier for him, helping him to carry out his duties as the captain efficiently.
"We stand a big chance of winning against Ajax. Their form means nothing to us. 'Madala' Bright is doing a great job and I am happy for him," he said.
Gabonamong is impressed by the performance of Ramatlhakwana who only joined the team this season, but warned that it is important for the youngster to start scoring goals. "People will always judge you by goals especially when you are a striker," he said. The game will be broadcast live on SuperSport 4 at 7.30pm.
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