Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - The Premiership celebrations could start this Saturday for Ajax Cape Town in their penultimate game of the campaign in their highly-anticipated clash against Kaizer Chiefs at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Urban Warriors top the standings with 59 points, and if they beat Amakhosi in Polokwane and should fellow challengers, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns drop points in their respective games -- Ajax will claim an inaugural championship.
Ajax is a brain child that was conceptualised around the partnership of Cape Town Spurs, Seven Stars and Netherlands giants, Ajax Amsterdam 12 years ago.
The club will always remain a feeder team of their Dutch parents with the likes of Steven Pienaar, Eyong Enoh and now for next season, the highly talented Thulani Serero set to showcase his talent at the Amsterdam Arena.
A sign of how patience and commitment to invest in youth development has bore fruit to an outfit on the verge of a league crown, they do so with what is virtually youthful players in their squad.
"If you have a look at our current squad, 14 players are from our youth set-up," said the club's chief executive George Comitis shortly before boarding a flight to Polokwane on Friday.
"The intention was always to build a championship side that was to be a product based on youth development."
Though, Comitis is confident that his charges can claim the required three points from Chiefs and if need be, Maritzburg United at Cape Town Stadium next week, he remains anxious.
They came close in the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons where their fate was decided at this stage of the season.
"I'm just hoping for a third time lucky this time," said Comitis.
"We have twice come close, and if you remember, it was decided in the last two games on both occasions.
"But that is how football is, unfortunately, there has to be a winner and a loser."
On the playing front, coach Foppe de Haan will be without suspended winger Sameehg Doutie and injured midfielder Granwald Scott.
"We will look at our options and make a decision before we leave for Johannesburg on Friday," De Haan said.
"The loss of Doutie and Scott has presented me with a puzzle but we have options on the bench."
Pirates, with 53 points, face the difficult task of beating Santos at Athlone Stadium to remain in the hunt.
"Our trips to Athlone are often difficult to call and this weekend will be no different," said Bucs captain Lucky Lekgwathi, who returns from suspension.
"We come into this game on the back of a loss, we are desperate for a victory knowing that nothing less than three points will be enough to keep us in the running."
At Harry Gwala Stadium, Maritzburg United host third-placed Sundowns who have 55 points to their name and come off a disappointing 1-1 midweek draw to AmaZulu.
While 13th placed United need three points that might see them avoid the promotion-relgation play-offs, a draw or a loss for the Brazilians will eliminate their title hopes.
"We are obviously disappointed by that result, and as a team we talked about it," said captain Esrom Nyandoro.
"With a bit of luck, we should claim three points against a good United team and remain hopeful of the title."
All matches will kick off at 3pm.
