Cape Town - The foreign player quota is proving a bit of a headache for Ajax Cape Town with the close of the transfer window looming.
The Cape club, after a draw and a defeat in their opening two fixtures of the new PSL season, is keen on bringing in two or three more new signings before the transfer deadline on Friday.
Ajax are in league action on Friday night, when they host Platinum Stars at the Cape Town Stadium (kick off 8pm).
The other Cape side, Chippa United, will be in Polokwane on Sunday to take on Black Leopards (kick off 3pm).
But Ajax chief executive George Comitis admits he has some tough decisions to make before the end of the week. He is patiently waiting for replies from other countries before he can decide on what to do.
According to the PSL’s rules, a club is allowed to have five foreign players in its squad. At the moment, Ajax have registered three - goalkeeper Sander Westerveld and midfielder Koen van de Laak (both from the Netherlands) and winger Khama Billiat (Zimbabwe).
Comitis has four possibles lined up for the remaining two foreigner spots at the club - Paul Rusike (Zimbabwe), James Okwuosa and George Akpabio (both Nigeria) and Wanderson (Brazil)
“We are waiting to hear from Belgium, where Rusike is on trial at top division side, Oud-Heverlee Leuven,” said Comitis. “If they are interested, we will do a deal to sell him, and it will leave only three players to consider.
“We are keen on signing defender Okwuosa to our squad and have sent a proposal to his Nigeria side. We are waiting to hear from them.”
Comitis also admitted that the club’s Dutch coach Maarten Stekelenburg has been very impressed by Brazilian winger Wanderson. Wanderson, just 18, spent three years at Olympiakos in Greece.
“Right now, I cannot make a decision on Wanderson, because we first have to see what the response is from Belgium on Rusike, and from Nigeria on Okwuosa.
“There are only two foreigner places available, and we have to think carefully before making a decision.”
Ajax are also currently having a look at robust 18-year-old Orlando Pirates junior, Tumelo Mopedi.
Midfielder Mopedi has already represented South Africa at Under-17 and Under-20 level, as well as spending time on trial at overseas clubs such as Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Sporting Lisbon.
While Comitis’ focus is on administrative matters, as he tries to strengthen the Ajax squad, Stekelenburg knows, even at this early stage of the season, the pressure is already on.
And a win against Platinum on Friday is certainly compulsory for the Dutch coach and his team.
Ajax finished a disappointing ninth last season. They have promised all and sundry - and everybody else who would listen - that they would improve this season. So far, the results haven’t been forthcoming.
Cape Argus