The new Cape derby - form counts for nothing‚ say Menzo and Tinkler

Ajax Cape Town and Cape Town City could not go into their Absa Premiership derby clash on Saturday night with more contrasting results behind them‚ but both coaches believe that form will count for nothing at Cape Town Stadium.

City looked slick‚ full of confidence and organised in their 3-0 victory over Highlands Park on Tuesday‚ while on the same night Ajax were desperately poor as they were thumped 5-0 by BidVest Wits in an error-strewn performance.

Given that City are joint-top of the league with Wits and SuperSport United‚ and Ajax are looking over their shoulders at the relegation scrap‚ it is obvious where the smart money should be.

But Ajax coach Stanley Menzo says he expects a big response from his side after their dismal display‚ not just because they are coming up against their city rivals‚ but to restore some pride after what was a humbling experience in Johannesburg.

• Ajax to assess epileptic striker Prince Nxumalo ahead of derby against CT CityAjax Cape Town will assess striker Prince Nxumalo ahead of Saturday’s Absa Premiership derby against Cape Town City after the forward suffered another epileptic attack prior to Tuesday’s 5-0 mauling at the hands of BidVest Wits. 

“I always say that the log does not lie and they [City] are third in the log‚ so they are the favourites‚” Menzo said.

“But it is a special game‚ so we don’t look at the log in this instance.

“They have a good squad‚ I saw the game when we played them away [a 1-0 loss in September].

“The captain [Lebogang Manyama] is carrying the team as a leader. They have a squad that will go from minute one to the last whistle.

“As a coach‚ the first thing that is important is to get the points we need. We are still in a bad position.

“A derby is a very nice game. It is something special for the people.”

Ajax are assessing versatile defender/midfielder Roscoe Pietersen‚ who has an ankle injury‚ while they are likely to be without striker Prince Nxumalo‚ who suffered an epileptic fit on Monday as his struggle with that affliction continues.

• Wits thump Ajax 5-0 to top of the table Bidvest Wits crushed Ajax Cape Town 5-0 to move to the top of the log in their first game of the year. 

City coach Eric Tinkler was pleased with his side’s performance against Highlands Park on Tuesday‚ the first half especially‚ and welcomes back forward Lehlohonolo Majoro from injury.

But he remains wary of an Ajax team who had won five of their previous six games before the Wits thrashing‚ prior to the festive season break.

“You can’t take the game lightly‚” Tinkler said. “Form goes out the window.

“We have the confidence and the morale heading into the game‚ but if you underestimate the opposition‚ you come unstuck.”

City will be without suspended midfielder Mpho Matsi but otherwise have a clean bill of health.

They won the corresponding fixture 1-0 in September thanks to a goal midway through the first half from Bongi Jayiya‚ the last time the winger netted in the league.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport