Ajax Cape Town coach Stanley Menzo says that every match has become crucial for his side ahead of their clash against Free State Stars on Friday.

Ea Lla Koto currently sits three points behind 12th placed Ajax Cape Town, heading into their match at Athlone Stadium with both teams eager to move clear of the relegation zone.

The 53-year-old insists that every game is vital at this stage if the Urban Warriors want a chance of securing a top-eight spot in the Absa Premiership this season.

‘Every game is crucial, in football things can change. A few weeks ago people were talking about [finishing] in the top eight and now all of a sudden it is crucial – every game is crucial at this stage,’ Menzo told the Ajax Cape Town website.

If it is Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns – no matter who you play – it is crucial because every game can give you points, every game can give you confidence. Sometimes you lose confidence or build confidence because of a specific result so every game is important at this moment.

‘Crucial, because we play a team in our own area – but then again every game is crucial for me and I hope the team views it that way.

The likes of  Nathan Paulse, Rivaldo Coetzee, Mosa Lebusa and Grant Margeman are all set to feature for the Urban Warriors, while Ndiviwe Mdabuka and Tashreeq Morris will miss the encounter.

Ajax Cape Town will now welcome Free State Stars to Athlone Stadium when the two sides meet in the Absa Premiership on Friday.

Kick-off has been set for 20:00.