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23/04/2008 03:55 PM - (SA) Make-or-break Brian Gaffney
It is imperative that Ajax win for them to retain a stake in the Premier Soccer League champion race. Pirates, on the other hand, desperately require full points to secure their place in the Top Eight championship that heralds the new season. Ajax therefore need no reminding that the final episode will develop into a contest of skill and strategy at Athlone Stadium tomorrow, 23 April, starting 20:00. A concern for Ajax is that their scoring needs to go beyond the efforts of Nathan Paulsen, who has seven league goals under his belt in recent PSL matches. Franklyn Cale, Mfundo Shumana and Russel Mwafulira also need to get their names on the scoresheet more regularly. Pirates have a similar goalscoring problem. The Buccaneers' leading marksman, Excellent Walaza, has not scored in the last four matches, while Lebohang Mokoena and Teko Modise are also battling to hit the target. The Buccaneers sport a better report card, defeating Ajax 2-0 and 2-1 in the PSL and Nedbank Cup knockout competitions so far this season. A draw would do the Ajax cause no good: it would effectively eliminate them from the list of contenders left vying for the R10 million championship prize. The trauma of finishing the season with no silverware in the trophy cabinet would be devastating ? particularly for Ajax, who have been unable to keep pace with logleaders SuperSport United in recent weeks. Supersport are ahead with 47 points after 25 matches, while Ajax with 44 points and Santos on 42 points are at their heels in the 30 match contest. Pirates are currently in sixth place with 36 points. Tickets for the upcoming match are on sale at Computicket. No tickets will be on sale at Athlone. For further details call the Ajax office on (021) 930 6001. ? Free State Stars beat Santos 1-0 and Mamelodi Sundowns defeated FC Cape Town 4-1 in the Nedbank Cup knockout series at the weekend.
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