Head Coach of Ajax Cape Town Stanley Menzo says he’s unperturbed by the departure of former Ashantigold defender Lawrence Lartey, insisting “it is part of football”.
The Warriors released a number of players at the end of last season, including Ghanaian Lawrence Lartey, Nathan Paulse, Lebohang Mokoena, and Abel Mabaso, while Captain Travis Graham looks set to depart as well.
Lawrence Lartey left the South African club to join Tunisian side Club African on a three year deal.
Menzo says he’s unconcerned by the number of exits despite the players being key to the team with defender Lawrence Lartey making a mark in his two year stay.
“Every player you lose that was a regular is a loss, but that’s football – players come and players go,” he tells KickOff.com.
“As a group you have to be one and have to go on, because you can’t be sad that someone has decided not to come and train. It’s a pity, but we go on; players have to work on their performance because we can’t keep thinking about this. But I don’t have the feeling that it’s affected the team, not at all.
“Every club loses their best defenders (Lawrence Lartey) and best strikers – it’s normal, and part of football. I won’t mull over this too much, it’s normal and we go on.”
Ajax have lined up three friendly encounters in Gauteng next week, where they will face SuperSport United, Maritzburg United and University of Pretoria.