Ajax Cape Town striker Joaquim Lupeta is confident his performance will improve under the guidance of head coach Stanley Menzo. 

The Portuguese forward recently scored a hat-trick during the Urban Warriors’ 6-1 thrashing of Stellenbosch in a friendly last week.

The 23-year-old is sure he will continue to find the back of the net if coach Stanley Menzo gives him the opportunity to play.

‘The team has not been doing well in terms of results, we haven’t won a game yet, but we are training hard and with the new coach we hope to get a first win [of the season] this weekend,’ Lupeta said.

‘The international break has been good, we played well against Stellenbosch – the whole team played well and the goals were good for my confidence – I have more confidence now – let’s see if I get to start on Saturday, if I don’t I will understand and continue to push myself. ‘

Lupeta admits, though, that his off-the-ball work has to improve, especially under coach Menzo who, with his European coaching methods, demands a lot of work from his whole team.

‘The problem is not goals, but my work without the ball – I still need to work on that part of my game. As players we must press [the opponents], do what the coach wants from us and I will only improve,’ he added.

‘Things are going very well and I am adapting very well to the coach’s European methods. We have had different types of training sessions, we pass the ball and start from the goalkeeper which is a good thing.’

Ajax Cape Town against Maritzburg United kicks off at 20:15.