Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sa called it “a bit of a circus”, but admitted that his team weren’t really a threat in front of goal in Saturday’s 1-0 Telkom Knockout defeat to SuperSport United.
The Urban Warriors survived the 90 minutes of regulation time, but conceded two minutes into extra time when SuperSport winger Thuso Phala’s shot was deflected off Ajax defender Erick Chipeta, leaving young goalkeeper Jody February stranded as he dived to his right.
But before that, there was drama at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville as a storm arrived during extra time, with strong winds blowing advertising boards on to the pitch and the reserve players’ benches being knocked over as heavy rain, lightning and thunder making the venue unplayable.
Referee Victor Hlungwani suspended the game and took the players off the field for safety reasons, and there was a delay of around 30 minutes. TV footage showed Ajax Cape Town chairman Ari Efstathiou and some technical officials in conversation with Hlungwani, who decided that the match should resume despite there having been a lengthy delay and with the rain still falling.
And De Sa wasn’t too happy about it afterwards. “Ja, what can we say. It was a bit of a circus, wasn’t it! I don’t think we have too many rules here – it’s a bit of a suck them up as we go (gesturing with his thumb),” the Ajax coach told the SABC in a post-match interview.
“But nevertheless, I thought the guys tried and we worked hard. Difficult conditions no doubt, for both teams. But one silly error I thought and we gave the goal away, but I thought there wasn’t much in it. Both teams were pretty evenly matched, but that’s the way it goes.
“I don’t think we created too many chances tonight. I thought they were pretty sound at the back. Our creativity wasn’t the best today, we lacked a little bit. Once or twice we got into the box, and Prince (Nxumalo) had a very good chance in the first half – probably the best chance of the game, not counting the last few minutes when we were chasing the game.”
SuperSport coach Stuart Baxter also criticised the officiating, and added that it was difficult to assess the quality of the play due to the conditions.
“I don’t think people understand exactly how difficult it is to play with the weather conditions, difficult opponents in a cup. I have to say the performance, even though it was difficult for the players, it was difficult for the officials because they… let’s say they got it wrong a few times,” he said.
“I don’t really want to evaluate the players’ performances – I think the attitude was better in the second half and in extra time. We were a little bit flat in the beginning of the game, but everybody should get a pat on the back for running this game out and coming to a result.”
But Ajax seldom placed the SuperSport defence under pressure, and have extended their winless streak to six matches this season. They certainly missed injured targetman Nathan Paulse, and De Sa will have to take another look at his attacking options ahead of Wednesday’s Premiership fixture against Wits at Cape Town Stadium (7.30pm kickoff).
Prince Nxumalo made his first start since recovering from injury, while Tashreeq Morris and Bantu Mzwakali tried to push forward.
Perhaps bringing in a specialist second striker to partner Nxumalo is the way to go, which could be the tall Portuguese Jucie Lupeta, who came on in the closing stages on Saturday night.
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