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New Ajax boss feels the heat

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Ajax Cape Town coach Andries Ulderink has to bring the Urban Warriors back to the premier division. Picture: Ziyaad Douglas / Gallo Images
Ajax Cape Town coach Andries Ulderink has to bring the Urban Warriors back to the premier division. Picture: Ziyaad Douglas / Gallo Images

After starting his tenure on a losing note, new Ajax Cape Town coach Andries Ulderink (49) is pleased that the Urban Warriors are gradually regaining their confidence.

The Dutchman arrived to see the team suffer its humiliating 5-2 loss to TS Galaxy in the NFD Nedbank Cup qualifiers. It happened just a few days after he replaced Muhsin Ertugral.

Ulderink, from Zwolle in the Netherlands, watched from the grandstand as his hapless side were outplayed by coach Dan “Dance” Malesela’s team at Kameelrivier Stadium in Mpumalanga on December 2.

“The first game was a big experience for me, but I am quite happy with the club now,” Ulderink told City Press.

“The morale of the team was not the best because they had not won in five matches [before the loss to Galaxy]. But there is a bit of joy because the confidence is back.”

This came after Ajax scored a 2-0 home win against the University of Pretoria a fortnight ago to hand Ulderink his maiden victory while in charge.

The Mother City side had last won a game in October – ironically, with a 1-0 victory over Galaxy.

Ajax meet NFD early pace-setters Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo tomorrow.

In Tshakhuma, Ulderink faces a side that has consistently been in the top-five bracket of the NFD log since the season started.

Ulderink noted that his main task was to work on structural issues with his team.

“We don’t have time to lose more games. We are now focused on what players need to do. Yes, the Ajax way of playing is the signature of the coach, but we have to first look at what suits the players we have,” said the former Ajax Amsterdam youth coach.

The Ajax way, explained Ulderink, required total dominance in terms of possession: “I have been here for more than two weeks now and, to be fair, I have talented young players with leadership qualities.”

But, said the former Reading FC assistant coach, “at the moment, we are not focusing on getting promoted. We have to be realistic by first looking at the process of trying to lift the team to a better position on the log.

“It is more about developing the team.”

The Urban Warriors are lying mid-table, with five wins in 13 matches.

“We are going to work hard and as best as we can,” said Ulderink, who will continue to watch from the stands as his work permit is still a work in progress.

The Urban Warriors will close the first round with a home game against Mbombela United at Athlone Stadium next Sunday.

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