Cape Town - Coaches come and go, that’s the nature of football. There will, no doubt, also be a decision, sometime in the future, when Roger de Sa and Ajax Cape Town will feel that a parting of ways is needed.
But, for now, De Sa is the toast of the Cape club.
After Ajax won through to the final of the MTN8 over the weekend, after a draw and a win in the two-leg semi-final over Wits, there was unanimous praise for the job De Sa has done in the Mother City.
To think that, just a few seasons ago, Ajax were on the brink of relegation. Now, thanks to De Sa’s arrival, that horrible scenario is but a faint memory for the Capetonians.
The turnaround has been stunning. A few seasons ago, Ajax were in the doldrums. Season after season, they languished near the basement of the Premier Soccer League (PSL), having to constantly fight embarrassing battles to avoid relegation.
Recently, though, it’s been a different story. Last season, inspired by De Sa’s philosophy, Ajax finished fifth on the PSL standings, made it to the final of the Nedbank Cup in May this year – and now are also through to the final of the MTN8 competition.
“I think what has happened at Ajax over the last two years is that we have brought people into the club who are all rowing in the same direction,” said the club’s chief executive Ari Efstathiou.
“There’s unity, there’s a fantastic feeling at the club, and everybody has the same end-point in mind.
“For example, a few seasons ago, when Ajax went behind in a game, there was very little fightback. Now, if you look at our two recent league games, on both occasions we were down 1-0 and came back to win.
“On Sunday, it was again a backs-to-the-wall situation, but the players knuckled down, worked hard, and got the result.”
Efstathiou couldn’t say enough about De Sa’s influence on the squad.
“A great deal of the credit for the team’s improvement has to go to Roger (De Sa),” said Efstathiou. “His management style certainly suits the club. He is not an egomaniac and he makes the players feel comfortable. He just has that way about him that has been able to draw the squad together, and bring the best out of everybody.”
Assistant-coach Ian Taylor, who has been working very closely with De Sa, echoed his chief executive’s sentiments.
“Roger doesn’t put any pressure on players,” said Taylor. “There’s freedom, but also discipline… His great strength is his player management skills. He is able to get the best out of the youngsters.
“Importantly, though, it has been about opportunities. Right from when he first arrived, Roger wasn’t scared to give the youngsters opportunities in the PSL squad. And, on the back of that confidence, the players have blossomed. The squad all understands that what he wants to achieve is a process, they are along for the ride, and they all buy into the process.
“I think for what this club is all about, in terms of youth development, Roger is the right type of coach at the right time.”
Young Ajax skipper Travis Graham, 22, said: “Coach Roger has brought the confidence out of the youngsters. He has lots of experience in the PSL and knows what it takes to be in Cup finals… the work he has done with the team over the last two seasons has been fantastic. It’s a pleasure to work with him.”
Both Efstathiou and Taylor also referred to the fact that Ajax had not sold any of their leading players this season. Always known as a selling club, Efstathiou said: “We’ve kept this squad together for this campaign, which is a clear intention that we want to do well this season.”
In May this year, for the final of the Nedbank Cup, De Sa was suspended and had to watch from the stands. Taylor took charge of the squad that lost on penalties to Mamelodi Sundowns.
“I said then that the experience of that Cup final would be a great experience to prepare these youngsters for the way forward.” said Taylor. “I also said that qualifying for that Cup final would ensure that they know how to go about it next time… and that has now happened with us again qualifying for a final.
“But I also said back then that now that they know what losing a final feels like, it’s important that, next time, they feel what it’s like to win.”
And, with the MTN8 final, that opportunity is now upon this young Ajax squad.
Graham agreed: “The last time we were in the final (against Sundowns), we weren't successful. But I think we are better for that experience... the squad remains as hungry as ever for success – and, this time, we want to win it.”
Cape Times