Aya Eager To Leave Ajax For Game-Time
Following the revelation that he wanted out of Ajax Cape
Town, the working relationship between defender Ayabulela Magqwaka and the team
has reached an all-time low. The young defender from Gugulethu in Western Cape
opens up about his situation at Ajax and reveals why he doesn`t want to play
for the Urban Warriors anymore.
Personal Information
Full names: Ayabulela Magqwaka
Date of birth: 12 February 1996
Place of Birth: Gugulethu, Cape Town
Nickname: Aya
Position: Defender
Jersey no: 19
Club: Ajax Cape Town
Previous Clubs: Cultural Roots, Vasco Da Gama juniors
Honours: 2013 Metropolitan Cup winner, 2013 Copa Amsterdam winner (both with Ajax U19). 2013 U20 Cosafa Cup winner, 2013 Zone 6 Games (all with SA U20), 46 SA U17 caps, 20 U20 caps
Merry
Christmas in advanced Aya. Earlier this season you made a passionate plea for
first team game-time, but it seems as though nothing has changed for you at
Ajax?
My current situation at Ajax is kind of
difficult because as you know I have never been given the chance to prove
myself. It feels to me like they are not boosting me, and only the national
team is. In my current situation, it`s kind of difficult to know what I`m
capable of if I`m not given a chance to show my talent and how much I can offer
the team.
You
have not hidden your desire to leave Ajax. Why is it that you want to leave the
Urban Warriors?
There is no specific reason why I want to
leave. It`s just me wanting to get game-time and gain experience. Leaving Ajax
would be heart-breaking. I have become who I am because of the club and also having
to leave my family in Cape Town won’t be good. But as a young footballer I want
to play and I`m not getting any game-time here at Ajax. All I need is a chance
to prove myself.
Does
it make sense to you that you can`t get into the first team at a youthful side
like Ajax?
Well, I just think that I have worked hard
and I do have deserve the chance to play in the team.
Could
we see you leaving Ajax in the January transfer window?
Well, from my side I`m not changing my
stance because I really don`t see myself playing for Ajax again. Hopefully they
will release me.
It
must having been disappointing for you to suffer an injury ahead of Bafana`s
game against Sudan when it looked likely that you would get the chance to make
your Bafana debut.
Yeah, it was very disappointing. Hopefully
I will get another chance to make my Bafana debut soon, but I know that I have
to work very hard to regain my position in the national team set-up.
Okay…
You had a trial with Bidvest Wits, but nothing came of those trials.
What happened is that Gavin Hunt said he
wanted to see me, so I went there and I trained with the team. I don`t know if
it was a mini trial or something, but I had to go back to Ajax and I don`t know
what happened with regards to that trial. My Agent has not said anything
either, so I don`t really know if I will join Wits or not in the future.
This
season is Rodger De Sa’s first full season in charge of Ajax. With his record
working with young players, don`t you think it would be wise of you to stick
with Ajax this season?
I know that Rodger likes working with young
players, which is good for Ajax because they are a young team.
You
have been linked with a move to Mamelodi
Sundowns, who were reportedly
keen to sign you during the recess transfer period. How did it feel to hear the
news of Downs interest in you?
That was the best news I ever heard.
Hearing that a big club like Sundowns are interested in me at the age of 18 was
something really special.
Aya,
good luck for your future, and thanks for your time.
Thanks man.