Ajax Cape Town on the move
2007-11-29 17:07
Johannesburg - Ajax Cape Town are leading the Premier League with 23 points after 10 games played, while their city rivals are languishing at the bottom with nine points together with Jomo Cosmos and Thanda Royal Zulu, who all take part in league action on Sunday.
Ajax are in Rustenburg for a date with Platinum Stars who have not been as formidable as when they were Silver Stars. The Bafokeng-backed club are 12th with 10 points and Ajax are certainly favourites to get a positive result at the Olympia Stadium.
Santos have been awful at home and on the road. The Cape club have only one win and with Bloemfontein Celtic visiting them at the Athlone Stadium it can't be said the hosts will be victorious. After all, Celtic are third on the log, six points behind Ajax and although they've been inconsistent, they have the upper hand as they have no pressure and Santos who are rock-bottom, are desperate for a win. It may be early days but time is running out for Jean-Marc Ithier to make a positive impact.
Another high-flying team is the second placed Free State Stars. With SuperSport United competing for honours, like they do every season, the Free State outfit will be thoroughly tested by their more accomplished visitors. Maximum points can go to the hosts but SuperSport are known to rise when the opponents are at their best and a draw can be expected at the tiny Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem.
Pirates host Thanda Royal
In Johannesburg the traditional Soweto powerhouses will be aiming to climb up the ladder too.
Orlando Pirates host Thanda Royal at the Joburg Stadium while Moroka Swallows entertain a struggling Jomo Cosmos at the Germiston Stadium. Pirates are ninth with 13 points to their credit while Thanda Royal are 13th with only nine points. The Swedish-owned KwaZulu-Natal based outfit have won only twice and look set to struggle this season after name changing, relocating and getting a new coaching staff.
While they have managed to surprise a team or two, the latest KwaZulu club needs to settle to be a force in the APL.
Pirates, who not so long ago was rooted to the bottom of the log have found new direction under the guidance of Owen Da Gama. Quick, creative and dangerous with the ball, the mighty Bucs have supporters flocking back to the stadium, but their fragile defence often lets them down. Nevertheless, they are favourites to win this round.
Cosmos, another bottom of the log team, have not found their way thus far in the league and have only won once. Nevertheless, the experienced lot Jomo Sono has at his disposal will fight to the end for a point as victory does not come easily for the Ezenkosi. Swallows have been lucky with their victories but most of the times are forced to settle for a draw. Against Cosmos they will have a creative edge in the likes of Lefa Tsutsulupa and Mark Haskins in midfield but a draw is an expected result from these two clubs.
Kick-off for all the games is 15:30.
- SAPA