Ajax Cape Town FC Stays Upbeat As They Head To Competitive NFD

Get to know Cape Town’s most well-known soccer team

Last update: 30 August 2018

Relegated Ajax Cape Town, who in 2017/18 were the only PSL team not to win any away games, are going to face stiff competition in the second tier, a league known to be fast, compact and far different to what head coach, Muhsin Ertugral, is accustomed to.

The Turkish-German national first held the reins as Ajax head coach back in 2006/07 and has won many honours in South Africa. However, his fourth term in charge of the Urban Warriors is set to be one of the most challenging.

Following the loss of numerous players, the club’s signed Ivorian striker Guy Stephane Bedi, 22, defender Thendo Mukumela, 20, formerly of Mamelodi Sundowns and 36-year-old veteran goalkeeper Shu-Aib Walters from Cape Town City.

Walters’ vast experience on the pitch will come in handy as he also played for Bloemfontein Celtic, while he also believes that his presence is going to help with rebuilding confidence going forward, especially as heads dropped during the club’s 15 PSL defeats last season.

Furthermore, two forwards, Prince Nxumalo, back from illness, and Sedwyn George, who was the National First Division’s (NFD) top scorer in 2016/17 when on the books of Royal Eagles, should do well at this level.

The Cape Town Stadium has been confirmed as the club’s home venue until further notice as the Athlone Stadium is currently being re-surfaced.  

Ajax’s drop down into the NFD has cost them dearly. Instead of a monthly PSL grant of R1.5-million, they will now receive a mere R500 000, while their shirt sponsor Huawei’s contract has expired.

Ajax Cape Town, a satellite club of Ajax Amsterdam, was formed in 1999 following a merger of two successful outfits, Seven Stars and Cape Town Spurs.

They moved into a R9-million state-of-the-art facility, Ikamva, in Parow, on 5 August 2000 and have subsequently changed the face of the game in Cape Town.

Known for their world-class training amenities and the ability to groom youngsters through the various youth teams, the Urban Warriors have become a well-known brand both in SA and abroad. The u-19 team’s success in winning both the NextGen and ESAD tournaments in Europe is a clear indication that their various coaches are getting it right.

Playing attractive attacking football, synonymous with the Ajax Amsterdam style and approach, the club’s netted over 600 PSL goals since their inception. But Ajax Cape Town would like to forget the 2016/17 season after losing two important derbies to new rivals Cape Town City, while also succumbing to a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Bidvest Wits.

Round up your friends and go visit some of the local Cape Town clubs.

What's more, be sure to check out the 2018/2019 PSL fixtures overview. 

Cape Town’s other Football Teams

Read about Cape Town’s National First Division outfits in Cape Town; Stellenbosch FC and Ubuntu Cape Town FC. 

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