DURBAN – Ajax Cape Town coach, Muhsin Ertugral has warned his players that good football won’t take them anywhere in the National First Division (NFD).
The Urban Warriors succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Uthongathi FC at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu this past weekend.
Pule Mmodi netted the winner for Uthongathi. After the game, Ertugral told the media that his players need to learn how to win games without playing pretty football.
“They need to get their minds into the NFD as in the PSL. You don’t make it if you are not competitive enough. We are not competitive, we want to play good football but this league is not about playing nice,” Ertugral said.
Ajax are ninth on the log with 14 points - three points behind leaders Stellenbosch FC.
Ajax Cape Town in action against Ubuntu FC in their National First Division (NFD) match. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
“Automatic promotion is the priority for us. The joint venture with Ajax Amsterdam is important. South Africa has not been on the map for a couple of years. The joint venture is very important. Amsterdam is a big team. We have to provide better possibilities in terms of players.
We need to feed their names and at the moment it is not good enough. We need to get promoted but at the same time we need to develop players,” Ertugral added.
Ajax have struggled for consistency this season, and have only collected maximum points on four occasions while suffering three defeats and playing out to two stalemates.
“I don’t like to give up. I will try and help where I can. It is not about money issues. It is not the pride issue. We need to stand and try and bring the club back to top flight football,” Ertugral explained.
The Urban Warriors were relegated last season.
Muhsin Ertugral reacts during the NFD game between Ajax Cape Town and Ubuntu FC at Cape Town Stadium. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
“We need to play better and fight. NFD is about grinding. We still want to play educational football. We need to grind a bit. We need to move. We need to be aggressive. They were kicking us to pieces. They were on us and we were not on them,” Ertugral lamented.
Ajax will host Real Kings on Saturday in their next assignment.
“From the past two games we were expecting to get maximum points but we haven’t won. It is a disaster. Anything less than a victory in our next game is not good enough.