Renewed ekapa rivalry while Chiefs seek amends

ANOTHER weekend, another derby ekapa! For some time that phrase had ceased to exist, given the fact that two of the biggest arch-rivals in town – Ajax Cape Town and Santos – had since found themselves languishing in the bottom half of the pecking order.

Amid the Tendai Ndoro saga, Ajax fell from grace as they were relegated to the second tier division more than three years ago. They never recovered from that and are firmly trapped in the Gladafrica Championship.

Their decline also saw Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam pull out of their partnership as they renamed themselves Cape Town Spurs. As if that was not bad enough for Cape Town football lovers, Santos are in their ruins, playing in amateur ranks – the ABC Motsepe League.

No doubt, the two teams left a mark in local football, proving that, indeed, “local is lekker!” It’s great to see that top-flight teams which emerged from Cape Town last decade, Cape Town City and Stellenbosch FC, are tightly holding on to that mantra going forward.

With the two teams in the Premiership, there appears to be a renewed sense of rivalry in the Cape again. They have lived up to the high expectations of a derby whenever they cross paths: winning two games apiece.

Today’s derby at Athlone Stadium is likely to be no different. The Capebased sides have had a decent start as Stellenbosch occupy the third spot on the standings with five points after three matches, while City are sixth with four points after two games.

Stellies’ game-plan is modelled around counter-attacks, with Du Preez, Judas Moseamedi and Junior Mendieta deadly in front of goal. City, though, are quick on transition as they have ball players, with Mduduzi Mdantsane and Thabo Nodada the orchestrators.

But while Cape teams are enjoying a decent start to their respective campaigns, Orlando Pirates, a Soweto-based side, are only hitting steady waters now. They bagged their first win last weekend after defeating Swallows FC 1-0 at Orlando Stadium.

That win eased the pressure on caretaker coaches Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi, following the resignation of head coach Josef Zinnbauer last month. Before that win, Pirates had lost a game in a cup competition and drawn the other two in their league campaign.

Sure, Pirates may have been hit by injuries but one cannot ignore the talent at their disposal. That’s why it’s probably just a matter of time before they tick. To their supporters, it will also serve as comfort that 400th club new inductee Happy Jele is ageing like fine wine.

Jele’s experience and form appears to have also rubbed off to his centre-back partner Thulani Hlatshwayo. The former Bafana Bafana captain had a nervy start this season, following his turbulent outing last term. But he’s hardly put a foot wrong in their latest games.

Pirates take the trip to Gqeberha this afternoon – where they’ll meet Chippa United – knowing well that three points will all but steer their ship towards steady waters and consolidate their tag of being championship materials, despite being without a coach recently.

While the Bucs enjoyed their first victory of the season, their Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs endured their first defeat at the expense of champions Mamelodi Sundowns away in the nation’s capital. That defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for Chiefs’ faithful but some saw it coming.

Stuart Baxter’s starting line-up sparked a furious debate among the fans.

He started with five defenders – of which three were all left footed. That selection irked some, especially given the fact that the league’s Defender of the Season Njabulo Ngcobo was overlooked.

Baxter said that the game needed left footers at the back. He insisted Ngcobo won’t get an “automatic passport” into his team just because he’s a Bafana Bafana player.

It remains to be seen whether Baxter will consider Ngcobo today when they host Royal AM at the FNB Stadium.

Out in Chloorkop, the spotlight has been on the co-coaches. Apparently, there was a rift between Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena after the former’s comments during training.

But Mokwena, who’s been holding the fort of late, said they’ve since smoked the peace pipe. The results on the pitch support the explanation and Sundowns will be eager to continue with the winning momentum when they host TS Galaxy in Hatfield tomorrow.