Ajax Cape Town players need to be mentally strong against Sundowns, says coach Menzo

Ajax Cape Town travel to Gauteng to lock horns with Tshwane giants Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday evening.

The Urban Warriors coach Stanley Menzo is wary of the dangers a resurgent Masandawana may pose.

“It will be very difficult if you see how they have won in their last three games‚" Menzo told Times Media.

"They are in a good mood and good drive but it’s only a game.

“We played well against them when we played them at home and they are a team who suit us.

"They play football but they are also in the running for the championship‚ so they will need to beat us," Menzo expressed.

The last time these two sides met in the league, Ajax claimed three points as they ran out 2-0 victors, and the former Dutch international believes Sundowns will have revenge on their mind, come Tuesday.

"I think they’ll also be looking for revenge after losing in Cape Town. We need to stay in the game as long as we can," he said.

"It will be a mental thing to have the belief that we can match them and stay competitive. We are not a big top team but we can do much better than we have been doing.

“Let’s hope our draw against Arrows in our last game gives us the push we need and we can continue that against Sundowns‚” Menzo continued.

“It’s a normal thing. That motivation from the players comes easier when we take on the bigger teams.

"But I think we are also motivated to get out of the zone in which we find ourselves. It’s always good when you are playing for something," he stressed.

“We have been gaining some points but it is still important for us to get wins.

“Sundowns away is an opportunity for us but then we have Platinum Stars at home on Sunday and that is where we have to get three points,” Menzo concluded.