Don't underestimate Ajax, says Tinkler

Cape Town - Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler issued a warning to his players ahead of the Cape derby clash against Ajax Cape Town.

City surprised many this season by claiming the Telkom Knockout and maintaining healthy lead in the top half of the Premiership log. The Citizens are currently joint log leaders with SuperSport United and Wits (28 points) with only goal difference separating the three sides.

Tinkler’s charges started off the second-half of the campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over Highlands Park while Ajax slumped to a 5-0 thumping courtesy of the Clever Boys.

The former Orlando Pirates mentor believes that Ajax should not be taken lightly despite being in the bottom half of the log (11th position).

“You can’t take the game lightly just the past reality because the important thing is the form goes out the window,” Tinkler said at a press conference held in Cape Town.

“Yes, the confidence and moral going into the game we have that but if you underestimate the opposition you come unstuck

“That’s the harsh reality and also there is another point to remember which I’ve explained to the players. When you sitting up there (on top of the log) everybody’s looking to bring you down and they’re going to come into the game highly motivated.

“Forget about the fact that they got a hammering from Wits; I promise you on the day they’re going to put that aside and the focus is just going to be we can redeem ourselves by beating the leaders.

“So we can’t underestimate them, we got to go out there and work extremely hard,” Tinkler concluded.

Kick off is at 20:15.