Sipho Mthembu

Sipho Mthembu

You would think everyone at the Ajax Cape Town headquarters at Ikamva, especially head coach Craig Roslee, would be worried sick going into the third game of the season on the back of two consecutive defeats.

Absolutely not, we are told. I n fact, Roslee is looking to use the fixture against Black Leopards at Athlone on Saturday evening to turn the corner after defeats to Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates in the league and Supa 8 cup.

"Anyone who saw our game against Celtic will tell you it was very tough. We had the same number of chances but ultimately were punished because they used one of theirs," said Roslee. "Against Pirates, we had 70 percent control of the game until they scored through an own goal.

"We have since went back to training and worked hard on our shooting. What is left is for the ball to go into the net.

"If there is anything to worry about, it is that all our five players currently on national duty [two with Bafana Bafana and three with the Olympic team] get back fully fit.

"We are confident of the three points," he added.

Strange and perhaps a little absurd to point out this early in the season, but Saturday's is a fixture between the top team against the basement club.

Lidoda Duvha yesterday rejected suggestions that they could be under pressure to hold on to their unfamiliar pace-setting spot.

"At this stage, the issue is not the position but collecting points," maintained brand manager Tshifiwa Thidiela, "Our primary objective is to be a consistent top eight team. We are aware Ajax will want to avenge the 1-0 loss they suffered against us in Cape Town last season.

"However, Boebie [Solomons, the coach] is a Cape Town boy and his preparations for conditions down there are going to be thorough."