AJAX Cape Town will have to reshuffle their defence for tonight's Absa Premiership clash against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Coach Roger de Sa is forced to come up with a replacement for Nazeer Allie, who became the first player sent off in the league this season, and injured captain Dominic Isaacs.
The experienced pair are unavailable for the match that kicks off at 7.30pm at the Cape Town Stadium, forcing De Sa, in his own words, to be creative in finding a solution.
"We have a few options that we'll look at in training," De Sa said.
But it is likely Mosa Lebusa could be pulled across from fullback to partner the teenager Rivaldo Coetzee, with Aidan Jenniker at left- back and Cecil Lolo on the right-hand side in a weakened lineup.
Allie was sent off after picking up two cautions in Sunday's goalless opening league encounter against AmaZulu in Durban.
But De Sa is angry that Downs have forward Mame Niang available after he gave away a penalty in the Brazilians' 1-1 draw with Maritz- burg United last Friday for using his elbow but was not red-carded for the offence.
The giant Senegalese forward had been cautioned earlier in the game by referee Victor Gomes for the same offence but when he was penalised in the last minute of the game at Loftus Versfeld he did not receive a second yellow card. De Sa, who has had several run-ins in the past with Gomes, called it poor refereeing and said officials needed to be consistent and accountable.
Niang's aerial prowess is Sundowns' new ploy against opponents who pack their defences but he might not be fielded by Pitso Mosimane tonight as the Brazilians coach reckons on a more open and attacking approach from their hosts.
That could mean Katlego Mashego is partnered up front by new signing Bongi Ntuli or Anthony Laffor, if the Liberian international is back from injury.
Isaacs and midfielder Bantu Mzwakali are back in light training for Ajax after picking up groin and adductor injuries in pre-season but still not ready to return to action, De Sa confirmed.
Ajax forced to reshuffle
AJAX Cape Town will have to reshuffle their defence for tonight's Absa Premiership clash against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Coach Roger de Sa is forced to come up with a replacement for Nazeer Allie, who became the first player sent off in the league this season, and injured captain Dominic Isaacs.
The experienced pair are unavailable for the match that kicks off at 7.30pm at the Cape Town Stadium, forcing De Sa, in his own words, to be creative in finding a solution.
"We have a few options that we'll look at in training," De Sa said.
But it is likely Mosa Lebusa could be pulled across from fullback to partner the teenager Rivaldo Coetzee, with Aidan Jenniker at left- back and Cecil Lolo on the right-hand side in a weakened lineup.
Allie was sent off after picking up two cautions in Sunday's goalless opening league encounter against AmaZulu in Durban.
But De Sa is angry that Downs have forward Mame Niang available after he gave away a penalty in the Brazilians' 1-1 draw with Maritz- burg United last Friday for using his elbow but was not red-carded for the offence.
The giant Senegalese forward had been cautioned earlier in the game by referee Victor Gomes for the same offence but when he was penalised in the last minute of the game at Loftus Versfeld he did not receive a second yellow card. De Sa, who has had several run-ins in the past with Gomes, called it poor refereeing and said officials needed to be consistent and accountable.
Niang's aerial prowess is Sundowns' new ploy against opponents who pack their defences but he might not be fielded by Pitso Mosimane tonight as the Brazilians coach reckons on a more open and attacking approach from their hosts.
That could mean Katlego Mashego is partnered up front by new signing Bongi Ntuli or Anthony Laffor, if the Liberian international is back from injury.
Isaacs and midfielder Bantu Mzwakali are back in light training for Ajax after picking up groin and adductor injuries in pre-season but still not ready to return to action, De Sa confirmed.
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