Ajax fume as Sundowns 'steal' their playmaker

Published Feb 1, 2007

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Mamelodi Sundowns swooped in controversial fashion late on Wednesday to sign Ajax Cape Town star Brent Carelse just hours before the transfer window closed at midnight.

Ajax coach Muhsin Ertugral slammed the manner in which the deal transpired after learning that playmaker Carelse, 27, had already signed a pre-contract with the Castle Premiership's big spenders.

Carelse's contract was up for renewal at the end of the current season, but he had, according to Ertugral, agreed in principle to sign a two-year extension.

"I expected a bit more honesty from Brent," he said. "We had a long chat about his future a while back and I told him of my plans to continue to build the team around him. He was very happy at the time and promised he would sign the new contract.

"But he was playing for time all along and probably never intended (signing). Now we hear he had committed himself to Sundowns, without their officials showing the decency and professionalism to talk to us.

"But you just never stop learning about people in this game."

Sundowns coach Gordon Igesund, who was succeeded by Ertugral at the Urban Warriors at the start of the season, refused to get involved in the politics of the move.

"I really enjoyed working with Brent at Ajax, so I am naturally very happy to have him in my squad," he said. "The boy told me he wanted to move on and that's when the interest started - not before."

Igesund scoffed at suggestions that Carelse would merely make up the numbers given his star-studded engine room.

"Brent is a complete footballer, which means he would be able to compete for his place in the team without much bother.

"We have a tough road ahead, with league fixtures, domestic cup competitions and (African) Champions League commitments demanding that we employ a big squad.

"It's not about quantity, though, but rather about having at least two or, in some cases, three quality players in each position. You can't challenge for major honours at this level without the necessary depth."

Ertugral's mood was lifted a bit with the signing on Wednesday of Eyong Enoh from Cameroon. "This boy is something special," he said of a 20-year-old who last played for Magusa FC in Northern Cyprus.

"He is intelligent, very composed, is a good ball winner and passes the ball accurately over any distance. He'll obviously need some time to settle in, but I think he is going to be a hit with the fans."

Carelse's shock departure could see talented Daylon Claasen being handed the responsibility of being the playmaker alongside fellow teenagers Clifford Ngobeni and Mfundo Shumana.

Ertugral is thinking about starting the 16-year-old in tomorrow night's crucial clash with Bloemfontein Celtic at Athlone Stadium.

"Daylon is a genuine talent. He is going to make it big in the near future.

"Perhaps it's time he gets the opportunity to play a few games to get a feel of life in the top league.

"Celtic are always difficult opponents because they play with a lot of self-belief. But we've been very solid at home this season and I expect no less from the team in this one."

There was no controversial activity over at neighbours Santos, where coach Roger de Sa announced himself happy with the squad at his disposal.

He had lost Marawaan Bantam and Byron Hendricks to Wits University and roped in Koena Mathopa and Thando Mngomeni from SuperSport United and Bush Bucks respectively.

"We also promoted a couple of youngsters from the development ranks, and that will have to do for the rest of the season," he said.

Santos play Orlando Pirates at Ellis Park on Saturday.

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