PSL Focus: Maritzburg v Ajax

19 February 2012

PSL Focus: Maritzburg v Ajax

Teams: Maritzburg United v Ajax Cape Town

Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium

Time: 15.00

TV:SuperSport4

Maritzburg will have a tough game on their hands as they look to get one over on an Ajax Cape Town side that has won their last four games.

Ernst Middendorp’s most recent stint in charge of the Team of Choice began with a satisfactory 0-0 draw against Wits but they will likely face a tougher challenge when they face a confident Ajax outfit.

Middendorp’s side are unbeaten in their last four games with their last defeat in the PSL coming at the hands of Free State Stars back in November and they will be keen to keep up their run of good form as they try and clamber further up the Absa Premiership table.

Their goalkeeper, Shu-Aib Walters, thinks that they can use their home advantage and gain a psychological upper hand over their in-form opponents. He told the Siya crew, “We’re excited, it’s our first home game of the year and we’re looking forward to it. We want to continue where we left off, the break wasn’t really what we wanted because we were in a run of good form, but we’re confident. Ajax have always been a force to be reckoned with over the last four or five years so we won’t underestimate them. However, they don’t play too well away from home, I know that psychologically we have the upper hand there. We’re hoping that the weather will work to our advantage, we’re going to go all out.

Meanwhile, Maarten Stekelenburg’s men come into the game having won their last four and on the back of an incredible comeback in midweek where they fought from 2-0 down to earn themselves an injury-time victory.

The Urban Warriors have had an indifferent season this year, starting well before hitting a slump and then gradually finding their feet again as the first round came to a close. They will now be looking to push on from their recent good form and see if they can once again challenge for the PSL title. 

The club’s midfield maestro, Khama Billiat, told the crew that his teammates were pumped up for the game and that the late victory in the week was great for the team’s morale. He explained, “The confidence is there now, everyone is really happy. After the game against Platinum Stars the morale was very high.” 

Form:

Maritzburg: L-D-W-D-D

Ajax: L-W-W-W-W

Players To Watch:

Maritzburg: Felix Obada

Ajax: Matthew Booth