Versleijen in a rush to be Ajax coach

XXXX of the Young Socceroos/Mariners XXXX during the friendly match between the Young Socceroos and the Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium on September 23, 2010 in Gosford, Australia.

XXXX of the Young Socceroos/Mariners XXXX during the friendly match between the Young Socceroos and the Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium on September 23, 2010 in Gosford, Australia.

Published Jan 29, 2013

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Cape Town - Jan Versleijen on Monday jumped the gun when he announced himself as the new head coach of Ajax Cape Town.

It is believed that Versleijen, who has been serving in a consultant capacity, has been approached to do the job, but the club’s board still has to ratify his appointment.

The board are due to sit down on Wednesday, and with their recent volatile history, the appointment of a new coach could yet again be put on ice.

Former Australia under-21 coach Versleijen tweeted that he “is looking forward to the challenge” of being the club’s new coach.

He also later tweeted that “I am appointed as an interim head coach until the end of the season, to help Ajax Cape Town in their battle to stay in PSL.”

However, the club’s own twitter account, as well as their website, was quiet about the appointment. The Urban Warriors’ chief executive, George Comitis, was also coy about the appointment on Monday, and didn’t wish to comment on the matter.

Technical director Jan Pruijn has been the man in the hot seat since the departure of Maarten Stekelenburg after a poor start to the season.

Pruijn has on several occasions hinted that he would love to do the job on a permanent basis. But it seems he is going to go back to his old position, with Versleijen taking over as head coach.

Meanwhile, Chippa United coach Farouk Abrahams confirmed on Monday that they have bolstered their squad with the signing of centre back Mbulelo “OJ” Mabizela.

Mabizela joins former SuperSport United and Vasco da Gama winger Masibusane Zongo, who last week also put pen to paper.

Chippa’s stars during their successful promotion campaign last season, goalkeeper Tashrique Goldman and striker Joshua Sauls, are also back at the club after stints at Pretoria University and Platinum Stars respectively.

Chippa are still hoping to conclude a loan deal for unsettled Orlando Pirates midfielder Mark Mayambela, while Niger captain Moussa Maazou is expected at the club as soon as his Africa Cup of Nations duties are over.

Cape Times

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