Meshack Khotha

Meshack Khotha

Nothing short of maximum points will do for Bidvest Wits when they host their hoodoo team Ajax Cape Town in an Absa Premiership game at Milpark Stadium today. Kick-off is at 8pm.

This was the do-or-die statement of Wits' midfielder Sibusiso Mahlangu, who hopes to become the first captain to guide his side to their first ever win over Ajax.

The Clever Boys have never beaten the Urban Warriors since they bounced back into the elite league in 2006/7 season.

Out of five meetings, Wits lost four and got an away draw.

But Wits playmaker Mahlangu is confident that it's now time to rewrite the record books.

Said Mahlangu: " This is a must-win game. The boys have been working very hard at training and are physically fit for this clash.

"Our opponents are a good and hard-working team who can run for 90 minutes and have been showing great fighting spirit recently.

"If we can match them pound for pound for the entire proceeding, we will definitely send them back home empty-handed."

Wits were hard at training yesterday under the watchful-eye of coach Roger de Sa and his assistant Eric Tinkler.

They were focussing on throw-ins which will possibly be part of their strategy in today's game.

But they were without Under-23 defender Thabang Matuka and Richard Gariseb who are both nursing injuries.

Wits will rely on their chief goal-getter Calvin Kadi and in-form Tebogo Langerman to win. The latter scored a brace in their 6-2 victory over Thanda Royal Zulu.

But after going down 0-1 to Golden Arrows at the weekend, Ajax will certainly pull out all the stops to improve their position on the log at the expense of Wits.

Meanwhile, Santos will be out to restore their dented image when they welcome Thanda Royal Zulu at Athlone Stadium at 8pm.

This after coach David Bright's side lost 1-2 to Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria at the weekend.

On the other hand, 'Royal will be looking forward for their second successive victory after narrowly pipping basement side Bay United 1-0 in Durban.