Posted in News on Mar 16, 2004.
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If Chiefs are to realise their ambition of a league and cup treble, they will have to do it the hard way - this after the Glamour Boys were drawn against Ajax on Monday for the last 16 of the Absa Cup.
With the Coca-Cola Cup safely stored away in Naturena, Amakhosi have a realistic chance of winning the league - to end a 13-year wait and the Absa Cup. But it won’t be smooth sailing.
On Wednesday, Chiefs will travel to Cape Town for a tough league encounter against Ajax. It will be the third meeting between the two, who were drawn together on the Last 16 of the Absa Cup.
Victory for Amakhosi on Wednesday night will take the wind out of the Ajax sail and give Ted Dumitru’s men a huge psychological edge as they prepare for the Absa Cup clash.
It will be an uphill battle for Ajax, dropped two valuable points in their 1-1 draw against Dynamos last Wednesday. It was their second draw in a row following the similar outcome against SuperSport United in the previous match.
Young goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, who is likely to leave for Ajax Amsterdam next season, will have to be at his best to thwart the Amakhosi attack. The reining PSL Players’ Player of the Year warned his colleagues, in a interview on the club’s official website, to beware veteran Bafana Bafana midfielder John “Shoes” Moshoeu.
"Jabu will definitely be missed by Chiefs but I think Shoes is the man we have to watch, he's been pivotal to Chiefs success this season,” said Josephs. "Dlamini is another guy who is a constant threat. He likes taking on players and is quite aggressive on the ball.”
Chiefs welcome back defender Cyril Nzama, who missed the 3-1 victory against Black Leopards due to suspension. Former Ajax full-back David Kannemeyer could also be given a run after a lengthy absence due to injury.
Zambian under-23 striker Collins Mbesuma is a doubtful starter after a bad injury against Leopards, where he scored his debut goal. But Amakhosi will be spoilt for choice upfront with Patrick Mayo having recovered from a bout of flu.
Chiefs will do well to beware veteran midfield maestro Ernest Mtawali and the 15-year-old sensation Mkhanyiseli Siwahla, who scored his debut goal in the 3-0 win against Dynamos in the Absa Cup first round three weeks ago.
Elsewhere, Wits University, who still have a statistical chance of winning the championship, will try to strengthen their challenge when they host Black Leopards at Bidvest Stadium. Kick-off is at 20:00.
It is crucial for Wits to collect maximum points, as they will be away on African club competition duty this weekend. But they could face stern resistance after former Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba finally got it right with Leopards in their 2-1 win over Jomo Cosmos at the weekend.
Ajax vs Chiefs stats
League matches in brackets
Chiefs Ajax
Played 13 (9) 13 (9)
Won 4 (3) 5 (4)
Drawn 3 (2) 3 (2)
Lost 5 (4) 4 (3)
GF 12 (11) 3 (10)
GA 13 (10) 12 (11)
GOALSCORERS
Chiefs:
4 - Fredericks
1 - Khumalo, Nomvete, Illodigwe, J.Sithole, Richards,
Mabedi, Musasa, Dlamini
Ajax:
2 - Scott
1 - Modise, Oliver, Augustine, Permall, Makasa, Pienaar,
Kannemeyer, Lechesa, Dinha, Paulse own goals - 1 (Mabedi 00/01)