Ertugral at Ajax helm

 It is official! Muhsin Ertugral has joined Ajax Cape Town as their coach for next season and the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor will assume his duties as soon as he returns from Turkey where he has gone on holiday to soak up the sun and clear his head following his stormy last days at Naturena.

And former Charlton Athletic striker Shaun Bartlett has been appointed his assistant with immediate effect. Ertugral actually wanted to appoint Bartlett his assistant while both were still at Kaizer Chiefs but his wishes were not entertained by management and eventually Bartlett left to join Bloemfontein Celtic.

Now this puts the future of star striker and Bafana Bafana member Mabhudi Khenyeza in question. The former Lamontville Golden Arrows and Kaizer Chiefs striker made it clear that he could not under any circumstances work with Ertugral and stressed that should the latter join Ajax, he would request to be released from his contract.

This week Khenyeza took home a hat-trick of awards as the club’s leading goalscorer, Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year during the end-of-the-year function. Already Gauteng’s big guns Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and even Kaizer Chiefs have been alerted about the developments down Ikamva way and have made enquiries about enticing him to their respective stables.

But his business manager disclosed that he would try to secure Khenyeza a move to Europe first, before even considering local offers. And with the player included in the Confederation Cup squad, perhaps his stocks could rise considerably if he has a good tournament and a move to Europe could be a reality.

Although Ajax and Ertugral have denied talking to each other, SuperSoccer can exclusively reveal that a deal was agreed upon this week shortly before the Turk departed for Europe and Bartlett will most certainly relocate back to his hometown where he grew up and turned professional with the now defunct Cape Town Spurs.