Transfer signings
Bradley Grobler
Billiat eyes Scholes tussle
From league runners-up one season to finishing a disappointing ninth the next, Ajax Cape Town should be in the front and centre of the transfer market in order to bring in refurbishments to Maarten Stekelenburg’s struggling side.
However, in a bid to keep the identity of Ajax strong, they have only managed to sign two new players, while bringing back four players from their loan spells at Vasco Da Gama and Golden Arrows.
Change is the only thing that remains immortal but it isn’t always positive. MTNFootball takes a look at the new faces on the Parow block as well as the loanees and the possible reasons why Ajax have not brought in many players.
Bradley Grobler
The striker made waves during his time at Platinum Stars and was eagerly snapped up by Turkish club Goztepe. Despite having 23 starts and netting on half a dozen of occasions, Grobler surprisingly opted to leave Europe for a shot at glory in the Mother City.
Signing for Ajax, Grobler stated his clear admiration for the club: “I have always admired how Ajax Cape Town played their football. Their professionalism and European training methods attracted me to the club.”
With a four-year deal tied to his name, the 24-year-old carries the weight of expectation from the fans and the members of the club, to help bring the Urban Warriors back to the threatening side they were.
Keon van de Laak
Completing the Dutch trio with Sander Westerveld and coach Stekelenburg, Van de Laak joins a growing list of Dutch players to join the ranks of Ajax Cape Town.
Although famous in his nation, the experienced 29-year-old will have his work cut out for him in thrashing off the disappointment of his fellow countrymen’s past.
Having seen several Eredivisie players failing to live up to the expectations in the shirt of Amsterdam’s sister club, the midfielder will have to be at his best if he hopes to succeed the departed George Maluleka.
Loan arrivals: Sici Shelembe, Nathan Gertse, Brandon Adams and Andre Petim
When being shipped off on loan several times throughout a career it is never easy coming back to one’s mother club and gaining regular playing time.
Sici Shelembe, Nathan Gertse and Brandom Adams were all sent on loan to Ajax’s neighbours, Vasco Da Gama, and have since been training with Ajax during their pre-season camps.
With a squad already overloaded with players, the trio may find it difficult to wear the red and white kit of Ajax in the upcoming season. The likeliest of the three, who could get game time, may be Brandon Adams- who impressed during his time at Vasco and would very well help fill in the void left by Brett Evans at left-back.
Meanwhile, Andre Petim has returned to the club and he could be in search of another PSL team after seeing his mate Sean Roberts fail to make the grade.
With Sander Westerveld remaining in goal, no matter what form he may be experiencing, it seems unlikely that Petim will receive game time. The newlywed’s talent is far more deserving than that of a third choice in goal and it would only seem fair that he should seek other alternatives.
Possible reason for few arrivals:
The lack of movement on the Ajax front almost seems surreal, especially given they lost their best player George Maluleka and their club legend Brett Evans.
It has been said that eight players were put onto the official transfer list, but no clubs have yet shown interest.
A result of their poor form last season?
Arguably an area to work on was the club’s backline. Forty-nine goals slipped threw the far from convincing Ajax defence and so far, little has been done to try and rectify the problem. Dominic Isaacs was spotted training with the club but he has since moved onto trial at Bloemfontein Celtic.
But if no players leave, no players can arrive and should Ajax fail to advance in their transfer tactics, they would very well be in for a long season once more.
However, in a bid to keep the identity of Ajax strong, they have only managed to sign two new players, while bringing back four players from their loan spells at Vasco Da Gama and Golden Arrows.
Change is the only thing that remains immortal but it isn’t always positive. MTNFootball takes a look at the new faces on the Parow block as well as the loanees and the possible reasons why Ajax have not brought in many players.
Bradley Grobler
The striker made waves during his time at Platinum Stars and was eagerly snapped up by Turkish club Goztepe. Despite having 23 starts and netting on half a dozen of occasions, Grobler surprisingly opted to leave Europe for a shot at glory in the Mother City.
Signing for Ajax, Grobler stated his clear admiration for the club: “I have always admired how Ajax Cape Town played their football. Their professionalism and European training methods attracted me to the club.”
With a four-year deal tied to his name, the 24-year-old carries the weight of expectation from the fans and the members of the club, to help bring the Urban Warriors back to the threatening side they were.
Keon van de Laak
Completing the Dutch trio with Sander Westerveld and coach Stekelenburg, Van de Laak joins a growing list of Dutch players to join the ranks of Ajax Cape Town.
Although famous in his nation, the experienced 29-year-old will have his work cut out for him in thrashing off the disappointment of his fellow countrymen’s past.
Having seen several Eredivisie players failing to live up to the expectations in the shirt of Amsterdam’s sister club, the midfielder will have to be at his best if he hopes to succeed the departed George Maluleka.
Loan arrivals: Sici Shelembe, Nathan Gertse, Brandon Adams and Andre Petim
When being shipped off on loan several times throughout a career it is never easy coming back to one’s mother club and gaining regular playing time.
Sici Shelembe, Nathan Gertse and Brandom Adams were all sent on loan to Ajax’s neighbours, Vasco Da Gama, and have since been training with Ajax during their pre-season camps.
With a squad already overloaded with players, the trio may find it difficult to wear the red and white kit of Ajax in the upcoming season. The likeliest of the three, who could get game time, may be Brandon Adams- who impressed during his time at Vasco and would very well help fill in the void left by Brett Evans at left-back.
Meanwhile, Andre Petim has returned to the club and he could be in search of another PSL team after seeing his mate Sean Roberts fail to make the grade.
With Sander Westerveld remaining in goal, no matter what form he may be experiencing, it seems unlikely that Petim will receive game time. The newlywed’s talent is far more deserving than that of a third choice in goal and it would only seem fair that he should seek other alternatives.
Possible reason for few arrivals:
The lack of movement on the Ajax front almost seems surreal, especially given they lost their best player George Maluleka and their club legend Brett Evans.
It has been said that eight players were put onto the official transfer list, but no clubs have yet shown interest.
A result of their poor form last season?
Arguably an area to work on was the club’s backline. Forty-nine goals slipped threw the far from convincing Ajax defence and so far, little has been done to try and rectify the problem. Dominic Isaacs was spotted training with the club but he has since moved onto trial at Bloemfontein Celtic.
But if no players leave, no players can arrive and should Ajax fail to advance in their transfer tactics, they would very well be in for a long season once more.
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