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Ertugral says Ajax could have beaten Sundowns with Ndoro

Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town coach Muhsin Ertugral believes his team could have beaten Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday night if newly-signed striker Tendai Ndoro had played.

In an action-packed game at Cape Town Stadium, the Brazilians recovered from a goal down to win 2-1 and increase their lead at the top of the Absa Premiership over Cape Town City to four points.

Having scored in the 25th minute through Fagrie Lakay, the Urban Warriors were unable to capitalise on several chances created as they recorded a third successive defeat.

Ertugral, who signed Ndoro shortly after being appointed head coach late last year, believes the Zimbabwean, who is waiting on his work permit, would have made a big difference.

"If we had him (Ndoro) tonight, maybe he could have finished all the chances and got another hat-trick. He is a proper player who gets half a chance and scores," he said.

"The first 30 minutes (we should have) had the second and maybe third (goal) but we went on the back-foot with the penalty which I’m not convinced, will have to check the replay. And then we became disorganized at the back and conceded the second goal," the former Orlando Pirates coach continued.

"Obviously, it forced them to put a foot on the brake pedal with their passing patterns but we came back strongly in the second half and had three chances again, with one where with a little bit of composure would have levelled it at 2-2.

"Unfortunately, we have to keep the morale up again. They did well tonight, but these kinds of games are not in our class," he said.

Ajax are second from bottom, two points behind 14th placed Platinum Stars, who visit the Urban Warriors on Friday evening.

Kick-off is at 20:00.

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