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| George Comitis @ Backpagepix |
Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows, SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns can brace themselves for a renewed challenge from down south.
Ajax CEO George Comitis is hoping that the excitement surrounding Manchester United’s visit to Cape Town will translate into the Urban Warriors building a bigger fan-base and becoming a force to be reckoned with in the PSL.
“We want the 55 000 people (that came to watch the Manchester United game, a 1-1 draw), to come down and support us throughout the season.
“We’re looking to fill the stadiums, we’re looking to build a brand of football in Cape Town, we’re looking to compete with the Gauteng teams, and the only way to do that is to have the people of Cape Town behind us.
“The football lovers are out there, they are looking for something special, and we can hopefully deliver that,” he said.
Comitis is adamant that 2012/ 2013 will be more successful for the Cape side, who failed to finish in the top eight last season after finishing as runners up the previous campaign.
“We were obviously disappointed at the way we ended last season. We don’t accept being ninth – this season we are looking for a top four place, do well in the Cups, and make other teams fear coming to Cape Town.
“Going into this season we lost one or two players (George Maluleka and Brett Evans), but besides that, we have the same squad. We have brought in some new players, including Koen van der Laak, an experienced player and former captain of Groningen in Holland. We have completed the signing of Bradley Grobler and finalised the deal with his former club in Turkey.
“Our policy has always been to promote from within rather than from outside and we have five very exciting youngsters that have come up from our youth team. With Mathew Booth also signing another 12 months we have a good blend of youth and experience, and we are confident we will deliver the Ajax style football this season.”
Comitis was also not ruling out a return to the club for Mabuthi Khenyeza, who scored 24 goals in his last season as an Ajax player.
“The last time we spoke to SuperSport they said he is not for sale, but for us he will always be a special player for what he did here four seasons ago, so the interest is still there and that door is not completely closed – the transfer window ends in August.”
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