Sipho Mthembu
Sipho Mthembu
The fact they are tied at 1-all with Mamelodi Sundowns in cup games might flatter Ajax Cape Town into thinking they stand a chance against the runaway locomotive that is the Brazilians.
In their first ever cup meeting back in August last year, Sundowns dumped Ajax out of the SAA Supa 8, with a 2-0 win. The Urban Warriors got their revenge three months later when they beat the Brazilians 5-4 on penalties in the Coca-Cola Cup.
On paper, the two sides are even but that was then and this is now. Sundowns have never looked as invincible as they do under Gordon Igesund.
Football is full of surprises but few can argue against suggestions that it will only be a formality for Sundowns to turn up at Olympia Park on Sunday.
Ajax coach Muhsin Ertugral has done wonders to a dressing room that resembles a creche, but to ask him to get past Sundowns on Sunday would be expecting him to take over-achievement to another level.
The quality and talent are degrees apart. Franklyn Cale will be no match for Michael Manzini, whose team will share the R4,25 million prize money. It is the same for Mkhanyiseli Siwahla against David Kannemeyer.
Tembinkosi Fanteni needs a few more years of experience to get past Benson Mhlongo and Calvin Marlin and Russel Mwafulirwa is a shadow of his former free-scoring self.
Midfield anchor Clifford Ngobeni has tons of talent, but Godfrey Sapula's form puts him in another class.
Igesund was so confident that he said: "We have never reached a cup final in a while but I know we will reach one after Sunday."
Ertugral was not being unrealistic when he said: "We are a young team and happy with what we have achieved so far."
Downs will be too strong for Warriors
Sipho Mthembu
Sipho Mthembu
The fact they are tied at 1-all with Mamelodi Sundowns in cup games might flatter Ajax Cape Town into thinking they stand a chance against the runaway locomotive that is the Brazilians.
In their first ever cup meeting back in August last year, Sundowns dumped Ajax out of the SAA Supa 8, with a 2-0 win. The Urban Warriors got their revenge three months later when they beat the Brazilians 5-4 on penalties in the Coca-Cola Cup.
On paper, the two sides are even but that was then and this is now. Sundowns have never looked as invincible as they do under Gordon Igesund.
Football is full of surprises but few can argue against suggestions that it will only be a formality for Sundowns to turn up at Olympia Park on Sunday.
Ajax coach Muhsin Ertugral has done wonders to a dressing room that resembles a creche, but to ask him to get past Sundowns on Sunday would be expecting him to take over-achievement to another level.
The quality and talent are degrees apart. Franklyn Cale will be no match for Michael Manzini, whose team will share the R4,25 million prize money. It is the same for Mkhanyiseli Siwahla against David Kannemeyer.
Tembinkosi Fanteni needs a few more years of experience to get past Benson Mhlongo and Calvin Marlin and Russel Mwafulirwa is a shadow of his former free-scoring self.
Midfield anchor Clifford Ngobeni has tons of talent, but Godfrey Sapula's form puts him in another class.
Igesund was so confident that he said: "We have never reached a cup final in a while but I know we will reach one after Sunday."
Ertugral was not being unrealistic when he said: "We are a young team and happy with what we have achieved so far."
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