Cape Town – Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sa is determined to do the PSL title race chasing pack a favour by beating Kaizer Chiefs this weekend.
Chiefs have made a blistering start to the season, winning all seven of their Premiership matches, as well as all four games in the Telkom Knockout, which ended with a first trophy of the season.
“It's important for us, and for everybody else in the league, to get a result, because they are running away with it,” De Sa said.
“They are quite a few points ahead. If they beat us and results go their way, they will have very good lead on everybody else.
“We are kind of representing everybody else this week, trying to stop this runaway train that everyone is talking about. Maybe the train stops in Cape Town this week.”
Ajax have been one of the surprise packages of the current campaign, the Urban Warriors punching well above their weight up in second position on the standings.
For De Sa, Sunday's clash at the Cape Town Stadium against the 2012/2013 league champions presents the perfect opportunity to gauge just how far his young team have come.
“To have first versus second it doesn't come that often and it's something we have got to really enjoy,” De Sa said.
“With every game we play we test and measure ourselves, and who better to test yourself against than the most consistent and best team over the last three years without a doubt.
“We try win every game we play, but we try win differently depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition.”
The former Orlando Pirates coach, who failed to beat Chiefs during his stint with the Buccaneers, is under no illusions as to the enormity of the task and was full of praise for Amakhosi.
“They are undefeated, that they are a very good side, they are a team that is improving every year with Stuart Baxter,” De Sa said.
“They have gone on to get better since winning the championship two years ago. They are a quality side and probably a step ahead of everyone else at this stage.
“They counter very quickly, they have fantastic quality and now they have the luxury of having guys like Tshabalala and Parker on the bench, not many teams can do that,” he said.
“Immense depth, quality players, good on the ball, on the transition, well organised and structured, very good set plays as well, there is obviously a lot to prepare for.
“But of course if we really want to be front-runners and we want to compete, these are the games we are going to be tested in.”
With Chiefs already seven points clear of Ajax, and eight points ahead of Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns all eyes would be on the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday. – Sapa