Cape Town - As much as the Ajax Cape Town youth brigade has hogged the spotlight in the build-up to Saturday’s MTN8 final at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth (kickoff 3pm), there’s no doubt the older, more experienced players are just as motivated.
Ajax coach Roger de Sa has founded the current squad on a successful blend of youth and experience. While the emerging talent is often touted as the reason for the team’s recent elevation, spare a thought for the role played by the wiser heads, who have trod this path for many years.
Two such footballers are Ajax’s Franklin Cale and the recently-returned Erwin Isaacs - both are highly respected by the youngsters in the squad and they carry an enormous influence in the dressingroom.
Cale, particularly, is really looking forward to playing a role in Saturday’s cup decider - and he explained why he would love to this time end up on the winning side.
“I’ve been to the MTN8 final on three previous occasions,” the 32-year-old said. “I’ve been in the final while playing for Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United, and, with Saturday’s game, it’s twice with Ajax. On the previous three, I’ve lost… this time, I’m hoping for better luck.”
In fact, Cale has very bad memories of the last time he was in the MTN8 final with Ajax. It was in 2009 and the Urban Warriors got hammered 6-0 by Golden Arrows at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto. He would definitely love to put that nightmare to bed.
“Look, I’ve been there and done that in PSL,” he said. “There’s not much I haven’t seen in the league. I’m just happy to be fully fit again after my injury problems and eager to contribute in whatever way I can to the team’s success.
“I love helping the youngsters making their way in the game now, giving them advice based on my experience over the years and, hopefully, they can learn something from it.”
Cale admits Chiefs are the favourites going into the final, but warns that Ajax are determined to make a go of it.
“Chiefs are not champions for nothing,” he said. “They have been a great team for many years, so I’m sure it’s going to be a really special final. Chiefs have some great players, especially going forward, but the youngsters in our squad are developing into better players as each day passes.
“I think if we play our normal game and handle the pressure of the big stage and take our chances when they come, then there’s no reason why we can’t win this final.”
For Isaacs, things have happened rather quickly. Last month, he didn’t know where his career was headed; Saturday, he lines up in the Ajax squad for yet another cup final.
The 28-year-old from Lavender Hill was influential during a loan spell at the Cape side last season. On his return to his employers Wits this season, the Urban Warriors were keen to sign the player.
Negotiations, however, broke down because of the Students’ asking price. As such, Isaacs, already out in the cold at Wits, wasn’t too sure what the next step was.
He takes up the story that led to him being snapped up by Ajax two weeks ago: “I had one year left on my contract at Wits, but I was desperate to leave. I wasn’t in their plans. I sat down with them and they gave me two options - either they would pay me for my time there this season and release me from contract at a later stage, or I could get my release now and they wouldn’t pay me.
“I opted to take my release immediately. It’s not always about money. I wanted to be with a club where I enjoyed being, and I wanted to have an opportunity to play football.”
With Isaacs a free agent, Ajax jumped at the opportunity to add the player to their squad, with De Sa having highlighted how valuable the former Santos hitman was to the squad.
Needless to say, Isaacs is just happy to be in the mix - and so soon after re-joining, he’s back in a cup final. He also played for Ajax in the Nedbank Cup showpiece in May this year.
“Can you believe it… I’m back and in a final again,” he said. “This time, though, I’m hoping that we can be the winners.
“I can assure you losing last season was not a good feeling. And because of that, I’m sure that whoever plays will be better, will give of their best, in order to try to ensure that we win this time.
“Obviously, it won’t be that easy. Chiefs are big fish… and we will be the underdogs. They are always difficult to break down, but if we play to our potential and the guys rise to the occasion, then I believe we can pull off this victory.”
Weekend Argus