Ajax Cape Town coach Craig Rosslee says his team will not take anything for granted in their Telkom Knockout semi-final fixture against Free State Stars in East London on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Ajax beat Bay United last weekend in a league match in East London and also climbed further up the league table after seeing off BidVest Wits on Wednesday night in Cape Town.

However, Rosslee said they would not get carried away and are approaching their cup semi-final with the same seriousness with which they approach their league games.

"There is no other way to approach a Cup match," he said from the match venue. "Our boys approach each game like that and they're not getting carried away.

"They're a level-headed bunch. Boys like Brett Evans and Mabhuti Khenyeza are humble and I like the players to be quietly confident. And that's what they all are — quietly confident.

"We have a slight advantage that we were here six days ago," Rosslee said of their 3-1 win against United. "We know the conditions and the pitch also suits our style of play.

Stars co-coach Themba Sithole is aware of the Cape side's advantage but believes that whoever wants it more will win it, irrespective of the advantages.

"This is a Cup game and anything can happen," the former Stars defender said. "It will come down to who wants it more and our players are hungry for success."

Sithole was part of the Stars side that played in the Coca-Cola Cup final in the very same town. The 18-year Stars servant said special attention must be given to Ajax forwards Mabhuti Khanyeza and Sifiso Vilakazi.

"Mabhuti is a good striker and we must watch him. Sifiso is another mobile player. They both have good movement off the ball and are known to get goals, but I think their wingers are their strength, but we'll be ready for them," he said with confidence.

"We'll fight to the end as our slogan states," he referred to their club badge which bears the motif 'Ea Llo Koto'.

Christopher Tsotetsi and Mathumi Madimabe will miss the match while Ajax is hoping that Clifford Ngobeni can pass a late fitness test to play.

Sapa

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