Former Ajax Cape Town midfielder makes shocking ‘racial tensions’ claims

Former Ajax Cape Town midfielder Nhlanhla Shabalala has come out to make shocking claims about the club’s “racial tensions”.

Ajax emerged as one of the powerhouses in South African football and were famously known for giving youngsters a platform in the DStv Premiership.

Among players who gained prominence in the colours of Ajax are Khama Billiat, Thulani Serero, Thulani Hlatshwayo, George Maluleke, Willard Katsande, Keagan Dolly, and Rivaldo Coetzee.

Shabalala, who was at Ajax for more than a decade, has claimed that the club was divided according to skin colour.

SHABALALA MAKES SHOCKING ‘RACIAL TENSIONS’ CLAIMS ABOUT AJAX

“The team almost broke down because of racial tensions,” Shabalala told TK Solutions TV aired on YouTube.

“At some point, there were Ajax coloureds and Ajax blacks, then white guys needed to decide where they fall in.

“Even at training the coloured players would kick black players and the black players would kick them back.

“I remember there was a time where [Thulani] Serero would be attacked by one of the guys who [were] from the coloured race.

“They didn’t like the fact that Serero was becoming a star now. And they didn’t approve of his performance.

“Serero was a young boy then and we had to intervene because the coloured guys would not stop kicking him.

“It was through the discussions they were having.

“And it was very clear that there’s blacks and coloureds, the dressing room was divided,” he added.

The Urban Warriors were relegated to the South African second-tier in the 2017/18 season.

They were hit with a seven-point penalty for fielding Tendai Ndoro who was deemed illegible to play.

Ajax Amsterdam who owned 51% shares of Ajax Cape Town also cut ties with the Cape Town-based side after some underwhelming performances that led to the club being relegated.

The club has since rebranded under the new management and is called Cape Town Spurs.