Cape Town - Saturday night sees Kaizer Chiefs host Ajax Cape Town at the Moses Mabhida stadium in a battle for the title of the Absa Premiership's most underperforming team of the season.
Teams playing not to lose rather than playing to win games has been what the Absa Premiership is all about this season. Low scoring games, low levels of quality, and my low tolerance for nonsense has made watching Absa Premiership games a chore. But, Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town have been involved in some of the more entertaining games this season, so let's hope this is one of them.
Kaizer Chiefs
I have been a firm supporter of the #KomphelaOut movement on Twitter. Hey, who knows, I very well may have been the person who started it. No, I am not a Kaizer Chiefs supporter nor am I a 'hater' but I believe Kaizer Chiefs isn't the right fit for Steve.
Since his appointment in 2015, Kaizer Chiefs haven’t smelt a trophy and this season, if they don't beat Ajax, it will be their lowest points total at the halfway mark of the Absa Premiership in 11 seasons.
Amakhosi broke their five-game winless streak against second from bottom Platinum Stars, who probably should be relegated already to save everyone time and money. Against Ajax, Chiefs will be without Molangoane and Katsande because they were booked during that game.
Ajax Cape Town
Over the past few years, Ajax Cape Town has lost its relevance. Once upon a time Ajax was a perennial Top 8 team, but now they linger somewhere in the lower half of the table just between "err, these teams are not bad" and "... these teams suck". This season Stanley Menzo's young side are doing what I sometimes do after having had a little bit too much to drink at a bar - flirting with an unsuitable women.
For them, that woman's name is Relegation. Ajax Cape Town are in 13th place, two points ahead of bottom club, ‘defending champions’ Bidvest Wits.
Record
Kaizer Chiefs last five games
WLDDL (20% win percentage)
Ajax Cape Town last five games
WDLDL (20% win percentage)
Last three meetings
25/02/17 Ajax Cape Town 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs
15/10/16 Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 Ajax Cape Town
16/04/16 Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 Ajax Cape Town
Prediction: Kaizer Chiefs 3/4
BET.co.za has Kaizer Chiefs favourite at 3/4, a draw at 23/10, and Ajax Cape Town at 34/10.
Chiefs’ form has been below standard, but they are still in third place, only six points behind league leaders - who probably should be crowned champions already to save everyone time and heartache - Mamelodi Sundowns. There is enough experience in the team to recognise they can't drop any more points if they want to stay within touching distance.
Ajax Cape Town have struggled to score goals this season, hence their position on the log. Stanley Menzo has lamented the lack of quality in his team
“You have to be very critical in your signings‚ and sign players who can add something to your team. Who can lift the team up.
“That’s not easy‚ but that’s what we have to do,” said Menzo.
Scoring has been an issue with Absa Premiership clubs this season but Ajax Cape Town has one the worst defensive record in the league as well. They are coming off two good results against the defending champions and the high-flying Chippa United and their confidence will be high.
Ajax will not park the bus. That tactic will play into Chiefs' hands because they have the players to exploit the space in behind. Whichever team scores first will have the advantage and I foresee a Kaizer Chiefs scoring a first half goal and another in the second half.