Ajax Cape Town news update

Bron: ajaxct.wwc.co.za

The Ajax Cape Town PSL team is scheduled to embark on a week-long training camp in the Winelands on Tuesday, where the Head Coach, Foppe de Haan, is expected to finalise his first phase of preparations for the new season.

News coming from the camp is that the club has released Amigo Mamela. Mamela was promoted from the Youth Development a season ago. He was one of the promising left-sided mid-fielders that had caught the eye of then coach, Mushin Ertugral.

Other news is that Aboubacar Fofana is currently training with newly promoted PSL side, Vasco da Gama, while Derek Decamps will be training with Supersport United for 2 days. Zimbabwean youngster, Archford Gutu is also training with Supersport United after catching the eye of Supersport United coach, Gavin Hunt.

On the European front, Stanton Lewis is scheduled to embark for trials with an unconfirmed Swedish club.

Lastly, former Ajax youth player, Shane Poggenpoel is currently training with Ajax Cape Town, in the hopes of making an impression on head coach, Foppe de Haan.

Ajax willing to assist the Stadium and City

Bron: ajaxct.com

Now that the 2010 South African World Cup has ended, the success of this event is still tangible however the big question of the sustainability of the World Cup Stadium is once again thrust to the fore as presented in yesterday morning’s daily newspaper, the Cape Times.

Despite the doubt about the Cape Town Stadium’s future profitability, Ajax Cape town is ready to commit themselves to play a leading role to ensure that the Mother City’s premier sporting facility is utilized throughout the 2010/2011 football season and beyond.

Since the establishment of the Urban Warriors in 1999 the club has committed itself to provide their fans with entertaining football in a world class stadium.

Alexi Efstathiou, the Chief Commercial Officer of Ajax Cape Town said, “Now that we are on the cusp of the 2010/2011 season, Ajax Cape Town is negotiating to play their games at the Cape Town Stadium with negotiations being at an advanced stage.

Ajax Cape Town understands the complex nature regarding the future of the stadium and we are willing to negotiate a deal that is beneficial to the stadium operators, the City of Cape Town and Ajax Cape Town.

Part of our commitment in the short term will be to share the ticket income from the gates to ensure the financial success of the stadium. We are even open to parting with some of our commercial rights because we understand what the long term success of the stadium means to the City of Cape Town and its residents.

The reality is that the Stadium needs other sporting codes or events to also utilize the facilities to sustain it financially. Currently, we believe, that only football has been able to commit to the ongoing use of the stadium. The stadium operators have shown their intention to bring football back to Greenpoint but the high running costs presented to us seem to be a major stumbling block in concluding a permanent deal.

From the club’s perspective, a long term solution on a home stadium is long overdue. We can no longer be nomads in our own city when we have the facilities available to us. Football, like rugby and cricket, need to have a home.

For far too long, football has suffered in Cape Town and the country as a whole. In keeping with the legacy provided by the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the opportunity has finally presented itself for the Cape clubs to secure themselves a deserved home venue as has been done in the other provinces which also hosted the World Cup.

In the event that an agreement is reached with Ajax Cape Town, the club would for the first time have a permanent home for its supporters. Therefore it is important that any deal concluded should be on a long term basis.

The support of the people of Cape Town at our matches will ensure that the ratepayers of Cape Town do not become burdened with the costs of the upkeep of the Stadium. We would like to see the people of Cape Town support local football in the same manner that they supported the World Cup, by painting their faces, dressing up in their teams colours, using the public transport available and getting to the stadium via the fan walk on match days.

Ultimately it is the responsibility of all the stakeholders to do their part to achieve the long term success of our stadium, - the city, the football clubs, the stadium operator and the residents of Cape Town – this will have to be a collective effort. ”

Ajax pair for Amsterdam trials

Ajax Cape Town is proud to announce that Sameehg Doutie and Thulani Serero have been invited for trials at Ajax Amsterdam.

The pair have been an integral part of the success of the Ajax youth system winning numerous awards during their time at the Ajax Cape Town Youth Academy.

In 2007, Sameehg Doutie won the Copa Amsterdam Player of the Tournament Award and in 2010 Thulani Serero won the PSL Young Player of the Season award. Both players have represented South Africa at U20, U23 and U17, 20 23 respectively and was part of the national squad at the U23 World Cup in Egypt in 2009.

Sameehg and Thulani will leave on August 08 2010, and they will be in Amsterdam for 10 days.

Shooz Mekuto the Ajax PRO said, “We are proud that these two players are afforded the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best young talent at Ajax Amsterdam.

In line with the Ajax youth policy we will ensure that our young players get every chance to break into the world of European football via our link with Ajax Amsterdam.

We wish Sameehg and Thulani the all the best ahead of their European adventure.”

Doutie is inderdaad een rechtsbuiten. Een vrij kleine speler van 1.68m. Serero is een aanvallende middenvelder. Wanneer die Doutie een goede indruk maakt mag hij wat mij betreft komen. Serero hebben we niet nodig, aanvallende middenvelders zijn er meer dan genoeg op het moment.

Ajax signs Zimbabwean anchorman

Bron: ajaxct.wwc.co.za

Ajax Cape Town is proud to announce the signing of Willard Katsande.

Katsande is a central midfielder who has played for Gunners FC (07 – 2009 to present) the current Zimbabwean Premier League Champions.

He also played for, Frontier Steel (2002-05), Feruka (2006-07), Highway (2007-09).

Willard’s performances caught the attention of the national selectors and he has since represented the Zimbabwean National team.

Katsande is eager to finalize his registration and represent Ajax Cape Town. He said, “I can’t wait to play for my new club. I am eager to pull on the Red and White jersey of Ajax to show local fans that I can be an asset to the club.”

All square after first leg

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Ajax Cape Town and Moroka Swallows played to a goalless draw in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final played at the Athlone Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Urban Warriors kept Swallows on the back-foot for the opening 30 minutes, dominating the early exchanges.

The early offensive produced a number of scoring chances with Serero and Fanteni dominant, but they the Swallows defence was on full alert at the danger posed by these to Ajax players.

It was Fanteni who had the best chance on the half hour, finding himself one-on-one with the Swallows keeper. The Ajax striker chose to place his shot low on the right of the Swallows keeper, Mathibe who produced a great save to deny Fanteni.

Ten minutes later George Maluleke hit a great shot on target and Mathibe in goal for Swallows made a great stop.

Swallows too had a chance to open the scoring but Hans Vonk the Ajax keeper denied Shaun Haschick with a point black save and he blocked the Swallows player’s next effort, palming the ball wide of goal.

After the break Ajax continued to press forward and the pressure almost paid off when Granwald Scott’s free-kick was pushed wide by Matshibe, then a Clayton Daniels thought he scored with a header from a free-kick but the match official header ruled his effort offside.

Late in the second half Granwald Scott was denied by the width of the upright when his cross was not cleared by the Swallows defence and it almost crept in at the far post.

The game ended all square as the teams shift their focus to the ABSA Premiership before the return leg in Dobsonville on September 25, 2010.

Ajax see-off Stars

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Ajax Cape Town continued their winning form when they beat Platinum Stars 2-0 at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday evening.

Goals by Paul Rusike and Sameegh Doutie secured the Urban Warriors all three points and top spot on the PSL league standings, albeit until Saturdays results come in.

Rusike had the home fans on the edge of their seats early on as he probed the Stars defence for an opening. He came close on two occasions but the Stars keeper single-handedly kept the visitors in the game.

Rusike finally broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when he latched onto a Thulani Hlatshwayo free-kick.

Fanteni almost doubled the score after he was set clear by a Thulani Serero pass. The Ajax striker tried to chip the ball over Tapuwa Kapini, in goal for Stars but his shot did not find the target.

Ajax continued their offensive throughout the game and they finally got their second goal via the boot of Sameehg Doutie. The Ajax striker stole infield from the right wing and wrong-footed the Stars keeper who expected a cross to seal the result.

Ajax coach Foppe de Haan said, “Tonight’s result is a good result but I we held onto the ball too long. We created many chances and should have sealed the result before the halftime break.

We did well in the build up and got into great attacking positions, but the final ball was not one of quality however this is a young team and they will learn as we progress through the season.”

On the spectator front a number of new faces were visible in the crowd of 7 000 plus “Warriors”, many attending a PSL league game for the first time. The Ajax PRO, Shooz Mekuto said, “We are confident that as the season progresses we will grow our number of supporters attending our games. If we look at the demographic of tonight’s crowd then I am pleased, there are many families attending the game and it’s great to see young kids with their parents.”

Ajax launches the Ajax Soccer School

The Ajax Soccer School will be launched on Friday October 08, 21010 with Opening Ceremony starting at 19h00, however the festivities start at 16h00 with a number of “fives futbol” games involving boys and girls teams.

The first Ajax Soccer School will be launched at the Sunningdale Sports Complex. Working in conjunction with Fives Futbol, the Ajax Soccer School will be available to boys and girls from the ages of 5 to 13 within a professional development program to enhance their soccer skills.

Football development is the cornerstone of the Ajax Cape Town’s success since 1999. The Ajax Cape Town Youth Academy and their successes are well documented and evident by the number of players produced for the PSL and the International market.

Over years, more than 70+ players have come through the ranks at the Ajax Youth Development Academy and the launch of the Ajax Soccer School is the next chapter in the history of the Urban Warriors as they increase their footprint and influence in the development of youth football in Cape Town and the surrounds.

Since 1999 Ajax Cape Town top players like Steven Pienaar, Moeneeb Josephs, Franklin Cale, Clifford Ngobeni, Daylon Claasen, Bryce Moon and Nathan Paulse have passed through the Ajax Cape Town Youth Academy.

The footprint of Ajax Cape Town’s influence is extended across the Cape Flats via the Ajax Community Scheme that facilitates football programs across the Cape Peninsular using up to 20 trained coaches to work amongst young players in the areas where they live.

Now Ajax Cape Town is launching the next chapter of their Ajax youth Development program by launching an Ajax Soccer School.

The coaches at the Ajax Soccer School will work with the players in one-hour session per week, covering all areas of soccer development including technique, tactical awareness (insight), motor skills etc.

Each child will be evaluated individually by our qualified AJAX Soccer School coaches and all data relating to the child’s development will be stored and filed.

A typical soccer school session includes; a 10 - 15 minute technique related warm up, a 10 - 15 minute technique related drill and a 20 - 30 minute related small sided game

The AJAX Soccer School Coaches are:
Stanton Smith
Former Hellenic FC player
Currently the Ajax Cape Town U13 team coach
KNVB level 2 Certificate (Dutch Football Association)

Ian Taylor
Former Cape Town Spurs, Battswood and FC Fortune player
Currently the Ajax Cape Town U15 team coach
KNVB level 2 Certificate (Dutch Football Association)

Noel Cousins
Former Arcadia Shepherds and Moroka Swallows Striker
1987 NPSL Top Goal scorer Award
Former Hellenic Academy Coach
Currently the Ajax Cape Town U19 team coach

The benefits of Ajax Cape Town’s Soccer School are;
• The player coach ratio is very good therefore more specialized attention given to individuals
• The Dutch Development philosophy implemented
• Small sided games develop kids naturally in all areas of their development
• The Ajax Soccer School benefits the community by leaving an improved sports facility benchmark.
• Improved individual performances through improved self confidence
• Improve the standard of soccer at schools and clubs, therefore improving the standard of soccer in the communities where the Ajax Soccer School operates.

The first Ajax Soccer School will be launched at the Sunningdale Sports Complex, situated 10 minutes from Cape Town CBD off the West Coast Road behind Elkanah House.

The ICCT Fives Futbol site boasts spectacular uninterrupted views of Table Mountain. Fives Futbol, ICCT boasts two FIFA approved synthetic courts for action football. Both pitches are outdoor, floodlit, all weather Tiger Turf 50mm rubber crumb pitches.

This site also has a 24m by 44m floodlit beach court for Fives Futbol and Fives Touchies, whereby fun can be had until late into the night! The venue offers a conference centre, restaurant and bar facilities along with a full soccer pitch.

The venue offers secure parking and 24 hour security on site.

Late penalty denies Ajax

Bron: AJAX Cape Town

An injury time equaliser denied Ajax Cape Town their 100% percent record in an exciting, action packed Cape Derby played at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday evening.

The game started with Santos on the front foot as they probed for the first goal of the game; however Ajax Cape town contained the Santos strikers and launched their attacks from deep in their own half.

The first two goal scoring chances of the game fell to Santos, they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box, took it quickly and almost caught the Ajax players off-guard but Clayton Daniels foiled their attempt on goal.

Santos striker Sekou Camara had their first strike on goal when he rose above the Ajax defence and headed the ball goal-wards only to see his effort go wide of the post.

Ajax settled and they took control of the game, putting together some good passes that troubled the Santos defence. Fanteni and Serero linked up very well and the pressure paid-off when Wayne Arendse brought down Sameehg Doutie in the penalty area.

Fanteni stepped up and calmly scored from the spot to give Ajax the lead.

The second half saw Ajax dominate the game as they ran at the Santos defence.

Fanteni almost doubled the score only to be denied by the cross bar, then Serero caught the Santos keeper off his goal line but Motsoeneng was alert to the danger and he just got his fingertips to ball pushing it wide of goal.

Motsoeneng was called to action again, first he saved a well struck shot from Doutie then he foiled Maluleke.

Fanteni Doutie, Maluleke and Serero troubled the Santos with well placed passes that cut through the visitors defence; however they could not find the back of the net.

Santos threw men forward and with the clock winding down, the match official adjudged Brett Evans to have fouled Romano Scott to the dismay of the crowd and the Ajax bench as he awarded a penalty to Santos late in injury time.

Erwin Isaacs struck the ball to Vonk’s right, Vonk saved but Isaacs slotted the rebound into the net to force a stalemate.

Foppe de Haan was disappointed with the result. He said, “We did enough to win this game, I am happy with our build-up.

We need to take our chances during the game and improve our finishing.”