mwoah, wat heeft Westerhof nu gepresteerd als trainer? De Haan heeft wel bewezen dat hij goed een team kan smeden van jonge spelers. Met Hans Vonk en Maarten Stekelenburg zitten er nog 2 mensen die hem goed kunnen assisteren. Zonder Vonk hadden we waarschijnlijk ook Enoh niet bij AJAX kunnen bewonderen.

mwoah, wat heeft Westerhof nu gepresteerd als trainer? De Haan heeft wel bewezen dat hij goed een team kan smeden van jonge spelers. Met Hans Vonk en Maarten Stekelenburg zitten er nog 2 mensen die hem goed kunnen assisteren. Zonder Vonk hadden we waarschijnlijk ook Enoh niet bij AJAX kunnen bewonderen.

Je gaat volledig voorbij aan het gegeven dat de Haan zowel een enorme liefhebber als een toegewijde oefenmeester is, MrGuide. Foppe levert geen half werk, daar is ie veel te fanatiek voor.

Ajax Cape Town is volgens mij geen opleidingsinstutuut meer van Ajax. In ieder geval, toen Ajax de samenwerking aanging hebben de clubs besloten dat Ajax een X aantal spelers voor niks mag testen/halen in Amsterdam. Ik weet niet het exacte aantal, maar ik dacht dat, ik meen Claasen, de laatste gratis speler was van Cape Town. Daarna zou Ajax gewoon moeten betalen voor elke speler van de Zuid-Afrikaanse club. Want Ajax Cape Town wilde in eigen land ook een aardig team opbouwen en niet enkel opleiden voor Ajax.

Natuurlijk zal Ajax nog altijd spelers volgen en kopen bij Cape Town, maar dan zal er wel betaald moeten worden. Ik weet vrij zeker dat ik dit op dit forum heb gelezen.

Over De Haan heb ik vooralsnog geen echte mening. Misschien wat oud, maar bewezen dat hij met jeugdige spelers succes kan halen. Met Nederland dan. Bij Heerenveen was het volgens mij vooral Scandinavie en routiniers.

Feit is, is dat het een man op leeftijd is. Ajax Cape Town is in principe een opleidingsinstituut voor Ajax. Dan is een trainer die er voor langere tijd kan zitten een betere optie. Niet een man met een contract voor 8 maanden, waar het maar afwachten is wat er daarna zal gebeuren. Feit is, is dat de kans op een lange periode bij de club met zo'n oude trainer kleiner is.

Feit is, is dat het een man is zonder buitenland-ervaring.

Feit is, dat hij eigenlijk het voetbal vaarwel wilde zeggen. Ik denk niet dat de club Ajax Cape Town hem over de streep heeft getrokken, maar het land en de financien. Als Ajax Cape Town in Zuid-Limburg gevestigd was, betwijfel ik of hij er dan ook ingestapt was. Al zal hij dat zelf altijd ontkennen. Dat dat zijn insteek is, is geen ramp. Maar ik zie liever iemand die voor de volle 100% voor de club gaat (nogmaals, de Haan zal nooit zeggen dat dit niet zo is, maar toch...)

De Haan ziet Ajax Cape Town flinke zeperd oplopen
Zondag, 25 oktober 2009 om 10:39
Voor Foppe de Haan en Jan Pruijn is de finale van de MTN8-beker in Zuid-Afrika uitgelopen op een fiasco. Ajax Cape Town, de ploeg van het technische duo uit Nederland, verloor zaterdag namelijk in het Orlando Stadion van Soweto met liefst 6-0 van Golden Arrows, zo meldt De Telegraaf.

De Haan tekende eerder deze maand een contract tot het einde van het seizoen bij de satellietclub van Ajax. De Fries kwam daarmee terug op zijn besluit om te stoppen als trainer. De voormalige coach van SC Heerenveen maakte de afgelopen weken aan de zijde van technisch directeur Jan Pruijn kennis met de Zuid-Afrikaanse club.

De Haan keert nu terug naar Nederland om de laatste zaken af te handelen en begint in november officieel aan zijn klus bij Ajax Cape Town. De 66-jarige De Haan was in het verleden eveneens werkzaam als bondscoach van Jong Oranje, en veroverde tot tweemaal toe het Europees kampioenschap

Lights out for abject Ajax

Bron: iol.co.za

Victorious Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi was not shy to gloat following his team's 6-0 annihilation of Ajax Cape Town in the final of the MTN8 at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.

'Abafana Bes'thende' were tactically superb and won their first ever trophy to pocket the winner-takes-all R8-million prize by outplaying the hapless Cape side in front of a half-full stadium.

"Maybe people will have more respect for us after this win," Mngqithi said after the match.

'We are no longer the same Arrows'
"The win is certainly going to raise the profile of the club. We are no longer the same Arrows."

The KwaZulu Natal outfit, who won the province's first major football trophy since Manning Rangers annexed the league in the 1996-97 season, never looked like they were going to leave Orlando empty handed.
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The coach's gameplan was superbly executed by the players, as they exploited makeshift Ajax leftback Franklin Cale's lack of experience in the position. Arrows bombarded the Urban Warriors with a plethora of diagonal crosses to Cale's side, which caught the Bafana Bafana winger out of position on many occasions. This led to Arrows' first two goals in the first half, in the absence of the injured regular leftbacks Brett Evans and Aidan Jennicker.

But Mngqithi did not want to say if he planned to target the Cape side on the left, because the two teams meet again at Newlands in a Premiership match on Sunday. He did, however, praise his players for their great performance in the final.

"I am very pleased with my players, they did very well," Mngqithi said.

'The hunger of the men in yellow was the difference'
"Our plan at the start of the season was to be more competitive. My goal was to reach a couple of cup finals and win at least one trophy. Now we just need to work hard, be more consistent and work towards a better log position in the league," he added.

Not even a power failure before the start of the second half, which postponed play for almost an hour, could stop Arrows' momentum. By then Ajax had only a faint hope of making a comeback after they went into the break 2-0 down following a mistake by goalkeeper Hans Vonk, which led to Mjabulo Manqana's first goal and an own goal by Latvian defender Deniss Ivanovs.

The second half was worse, as Arrows split the dodgy Ajax defence wide open.

Bafana striker Richard Henyekane was rewarded for his hard work on the night with a tap in the 49th minute, after Monqana's shot was saved by Vonk. Thokozani Mshengu and Nhlanhla Zothwane scored in the 66th and 72nd minutes respectively, while man-of-the-match Manqana completed his brace in stoppage time.

The Cape side were a total disgrace on Saturday night. They let their many supporters - who only arrived at the stadium shortly before kickoff with busses from Cape Town and had to leave soon after the match - down with a display that would not have gone down well with the bosses.

Ajax caretaker coach Jan Pruijn, who now has the unenviable task of lifting the team for Wednesday night's clash against Moroka Swallows at Newlands, said: "Ajax were just not hungry enough.

"The hunger of the men in yellow was the difference on the night," Pruijn said.

Pruijn defended Cale's selection at leftback, saying he was given orders to be offensive.

Unfortunately, he hung his fellow defenders out to dry in the first half.

Ajax aim to preserve away form

Bron: ajaxct.co.za

Ajax Cape Town is on the road again, this time they travel to play MP Black Aces at the PUMA Rugby Stadium on Sunday 08 November 2009. The game starts at 15h30.

Despite a few setbacks in terms of suspensions to Clayton Daniels and Dipsy Selolwane ahead of this game, the Ajax technical team is confident that their charges are capable of continuing their good form on the road by bringing back all three points.

Despite this confidence, they issued a warning to the Urban Warriors not to take the result for granted because Aces will use their home advantage to overcome the Ajax challenge.

The new Ajax head coach, Foppe de Haan will formally take charge of his first game this weekend and he is not too worried about the Aces game plan but rather how his players respond to the challenge that Aces pose.

De Haan said, “Although it will be interesting as to how Black Aces approaches this game I am more fascinated as to how our players respond to the challenge they face on Sunday.

I would like to see Ajax keep possession for longer periods because the opposition cannot pose any danger when they do not have the ball, then I would like to see improved inter-play by our midfielders and forwards, for them to use the ball intelligently going forward.

This was evident in the opening stanza of the second half against Cosmos and I would like to see the team play like that for longer periods.

It’s unfortunate that we have lost the services of Daniels and Selolwane but we have ample cover in Hlatshwayo, Shabalala, Scott and Alexander. Our strength in depth is key and we are capable of extending our good form away from home, concluded De Haan.

Ajax Cape Town won three of their last four games while Aces lost two of their last four games but a moral boosting draw against Chiefs who equalised in the last minute of the game will buoy the home side.

This game is set to be entertaining for the fans as both teams favour an offensive style of football.

Ajax Youth Awards 2009.

Bron: ajaxct.co.za

The thrills and spills of the youth soccer season came to an end when Ajax Cape Town hosted their annual Youth Academy Awards function at Ikamva on Friday 20 November 2009.

As is custom on the day the events started with a Parents vs Sons in a 7 v 7 game and although the Parents won the U11- U13 games is was a close call for the Parents teams. However the older boys gave their Parents a run for their money and showed why they are at Ikamva instead of the reverse.

Before the awards section of the program the Ajax CEO George Comitis addressed the guests highlighting the important role that parents play in the success of each player’s career and thanked them for their efforts.

Then it was the Ajax Head of Youth, Maarten Stekelenburg who unfolded the plans for next season and gave those present a presentation of the history of Ajax Amsterdam and their association with Ajax Cape Town highlighting the successes of the Amsterdam based club emphasizing the fact that boys from Cape Town are being groomed for Amsterdam if they are deemed to be good enough.

Before the prize handover the Ajax Cape Town club captain Brett Evans addressed the boys encouraging them to work hard at their game.

Then came the part of the evening that everyone was waiting for and the Ajax youth coaches came forward to address the parents and guests, as well as to award the Sportsman of the Year award of their respective teams.

For some it came as a surprise to hear their name being called as the winners of the Sportsman’s award while in one or two cases it was a cut-and-dried affair.

None the less the applause rang through the rafters at Ikamva as each Sportsman stepped forward to collect their prizes. Each team member also received a certificate of membership from the club as proud parents and families looked on.

Ismaeel Stanfield won the top prize of the evening, the Urban Warrior Award for his outstanding season on and off the field.

The Ajax Cape Town Sportsmen of the Year are:-
U11 – James Thomas
U12 – Lehlohonolo Tau
U13 – Aghmat Ceres
U15 – Abbubaker Mobara
U17 – Toriq Losper

Ajax Youth Academy scores big

Bron: ajaxct.co.za

The Ajax Cape Town Youth Academy scored big at the 2009 SAFA Awards ceremony last night when two of their players scooped the major awards on offer.

Thulani Serero won the SAFA U20 Player of the Year Award and Steven Pienaar won the 2009 SAFA Senior Player of the Year Award.

Both players are products of the Ajax Youth Development Academy and have represented the national teams from youth to senior levels.

Steven was part of the first Ajax Cape Town team in 1999 and he played a major role in the Rothmans Cup Final when Ajax beat Orlando Pirates in the final. His performances did not go unnoticed and he was snapped up by Ajax Amsterdam.

Pienaar is a member of the English Premiership side, Everton where has established himself as one of the starting eleven under the mentorship of club coach David Moyes.

Thulani Serero, another product of the Ajax Youth Academy has established himself as an exciting talent in local football. He has played a major role in the success of the Ajax Cape Town PSL team this season scoring crucial goals from his offensive midfield position.

As with Pienaar, Serero has attracted from clubs in Europe and is on the cusp of making his debut for the senior South African national team, who knows he may even crack the nod for a place in the 2010 Bafana squad.

Known for their advanced facilities and training methods, the Ajax Youth Development Academy at Ikamva is at the forefront of youth development in Southern Africa and judging from the quality of players produced, it comes as no surprise when players from Ajax are in demand locally and internationally.

Steven Pienaar, Moeneeb Josephs, Dillon Sheppard, Moeneeb Josephs, Shane Poggenpoel, Daylon Claasen and Nathan Paulse are but a few examples of players developed at Ikamva.

For Bafana; Moeneeb Josephs and Franklin Cale played against Norway and Iceland while Thulani Serero, Thulani Hlatswayo, Sameehg Doutie, Tawfeeq Salie and Daylon Claasen played for Amajita in the 2009 U20 FIFA World Cup in Egypt.

Also included in the U20 Amajita side was Darren Keet who arrived at Ikamva as a raw junior and represented South Africa at U12 level.

One also has to take into consideration that Steven Pienaar, absent from the two Bafana friendlies due to an injury; Clifford Ngobeni, Nazeer Allie and Brett Evans have all seen national team action during the build-up to the biggest stage in world football, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa.

Our direct link with partners and shareholders Ajax Amsterdam keeps us ahead of the pack with consistent updating of the latest technical developments in the game – world trends implemented in Cape Town.

Ajax Cape Town extends young Machisi’s stay

Bron: chronicle.co.zw

CHRISPEN Machisi (16) of Ajax Hotspurs Football Club of Bulawayo who recently joined the South Africa-based Ajax Cape Town as an intern has had his contracted extended by one month.
The young midfielder was initially supposed to stay for two months with effect from 6 December but they have since extended his stay, as the club will break for the Christmas festival.
Siphambaniso Dube, director of Ajax Hotspurs yesterday confirmed the latest development.
"The boy arrived on 6 December and has started training with our South African counterparts. However, due to the fact that Ajax Cape Town will be taking a break for the festive season they have extended his stay by a month.
"Initially the deal was that the boy will be assessed on his performance in the field of play over a period of two months, but due to these developments, we decided to add a month so that it caters for the break period," said Dube.
Dube said although the new arrangement has a negative impact on the boy’s academic curriculum, plans to have the boy back at school would be done.
"We understand that Machisi's school programmes will be disturbed by a month and we have taken it into consideration. Ajax Cape Town have promised to put back the boy in class as soon as they have declared him an asset to them but if not he will come and continue at Mpopoma. However, after weighing his chances with his new team mates, Machisi has expressed optimism that he will make it to the ranks," said Dube.
Dube said Machisi has been integrated into the Under-19 squad, which ply its trade under the Vodacom Soccer League and this is where he is expected to prove worth to join the South African based outfit.
"Machisi has been put in the Under-19 squad, which plays in the Vodacom Soccer League. This is where his performance and skill will be tested, and if he manages to impress we will engage in talks to have the boy playing for them as soon as he turns 18-years," said Dube.

Clayton Daniels signs new three year deal

Bron: ajaxct.co.za

Clayton Daniels the Ajax Cape Town defender has signed a new three and a half year deal with the Urban Warriors.

George Comitis the Ajax CEO said I think he is one of the best up and coming defenders in the league. He has a great “never say die” attitude and is definitely in our plans for the next couple of years.

Daniels arrived at Ikamva 2006 from Riverside Rangers and immediately made an impact representing Ajax Cape Town in the PSL team.

His honours in the famous Red and White jersey of Ajax include:-
2008/9 Telkom Knock-Out Champions
2008/9 Old Mutual Mangaung Cup Winner
2007/8 2nd ABSA Premiership (League, SA)
2007/8 ABSA Cup Champion
2007/8 Old Mutual Mangaung Cup Winner
2006/7 Finalist Telkom Knockout

Ajax Cape Town opent WK-stadion van Kaapstad

Het Ajax Cape Town van trainer Foppe de Haan mag zaterdag een bijzonder duel afwerken. De ploeg opent het Greenpoint-stadion van Kaapstad met een oefenwedstrijd tegen Santos.

Het Greenpoint-stadion gaat ruim vier maanden voor de start van het WK op 11 juni in bedrijf. Het Nederlands elftal is op 24 juni te gast in het gloednieuwe onderkomen dat plaats biedt aan 70.000 toeschouwers. Oranje speelt dan tegen Kameroen.

Met de ingebruikname van het stadion in Kaapstad, zijn acht van de tien WK-stadions klaar voor het kampioenschap. Alleen Soccer City in Johannesburg, waar Nederland het WK aftrapt tegen Denemarken, en het Mbombela-stadion in Nelspruit zijn nog niet afgerond.

Cape Town stadium hosts its first game

Bron: Ajaxct.com

The new Cape Town Stadium played host to its first ever football game and the fans, dressed in colourful outfits, turned up in the numbers to support Ajax Cape Town and Santos.

They arrived early to take in the splendour new stadium and join the celebrations as Freshlyground performed ahead of the game.
A roar of vuvuzela’s greeted the Ajax Cape Town and Santos players as the entered the field for the first game ever at the new Cape Town Stadium.

The game started at a fast pace with Santos content to soak up the pressure while the Ajax game-plan was more offensive and this showed when the Urban Warriors won three corners in the opening minutes.

Ajax played a neat passing game and their defence was cohesive unit despite playing without a number of regulars like Derek Decamps, Deniss Ivanos and Brett Evans. The coach reshuffled the team and George Maluleke played at right back, Nazeer Allie at centre-back with Clayton Daniels

Also missing from the line-up were Lance Davids and Thulani Serero who were in the Bafana camp.

Despite the redesigned line-up, Ajax coped well with the pace of Erwin Isaacs and Graham King. In the opening quarter of the game, Isaacs almost broke the deadlock but the Ajax defenders blocked his goal-bound shot.

Granwald Scott and Nathan Paulse linked up well with the Ajax midfield as they probed for an opening in the Santos defence.

Just before halftime Clayton Daniels brought down Erwin Isaacs to earn his second yellow card and a subsequent red making him the first to be sent-off at the stadium.

Reduced to ten men, the Ajax coach dropped Paulse into the midfield and Shabalala next to Allie at centre-back.

Santos was more direct in the second-half but found the Ajax team tenacious and Vonk in great form. The Ajax keeper made a great save early in the second-half when Isaacs burst into the Ajax box but was foiled by Vonk in a one-on-one situation.

Then in the closing minutes of the game Musa Otiena almost scored with a looping header but Vonk stretched full length to make another great save.

The game went to a penalty shoot-out and Santos beat Ajax Cape Town (6-5) after Vonk and Shabalala missed their spot kicks.