Ajax coach dismisses imaginary talk of MTN8 curse ahead of Wits clash

26 October 2016 - 14:15 By Mark Gleeson
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Roger de Sa does not believe in the supposed curse of the MTN8 and even if it existed‚ it would not come in handy for his beleaguered Ajax Cape Town team when they face Bidvest Wits in the Absa Premiership on Wednesday night.

Several clubs that have won the MTN8 in the past have then experienced a dip in form after their cup success‚ with Ajax‚ the 2015 winners‚ among them.

Wits won this year’s competition at the start of this month and have played a single game since their triumph‚ losing in extra time to Free State Stars in the first round of the Telkom Knockout last Saturday.

“I don’t believe in that too much‚” said de Sa.

“Sure‚ every team that wins a major trophy can go through a bit of a slump‚ it does happen‚ but I’m sure Wits will have it under control.

“I know Gavin (Hunt) gave his guys a bit of time off after the (MTN8) win because there was a bit of a break and they have had to re-focus. But I think you’ve got to credit Free State Stars for getting the result they did.

"You can’t worry too much about the supposed cup hangover. It was more about the Free State Stars coach getting it right‚ playing it in a nice tight stadium with a good practical approach and catching Wits out.

“That game could have gone either way. I watched it. Wits had numerous chances to win the game as well. It goes that way. But I don’t think Wits are going into any slump‚” the Ajax coach added.

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Wednesday’s match at the Cape Town Stadium is the second for Wits since their trophy victory.

It also sees Ajax trying to win their first game of the season‚ despite the absence of key players through injury.

Nathan Paulse and Toriq Losper underwent surgery in recent days and a hamstring injury keeps out Lebogang Mokoena.

- TMG Digital

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