The Urban Warriors are renowned for their academy from which many young stars originated, most recently Amajita sensation Grant Margeman, who enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season at club and junior international level.
Ajax have also recently handed academy graduate Leo Thethani a first team contract, continuing the tradition of promoting their best youth products.
However, head coach Menzo has warned the club’s youngsters not to take promotion to the first team for granted, and not to slack off therafter.
“The young players that are promoted to the PSL team need to earn promotion, not just think because you are in the Ajax Cape Town Academy that you will be automatically promoted,” he is quoted as saying on his club’s website.
“When you are promoted, don’t think that you have made it. You have to earn it and you have to do the things required from you consistently, throughout the year and not just for a few weeks or during a tournament.
“When you are promoted, don’t think you are there and that you have made it – few players have made that mistake in the past.”
Menzo also warned of the step up, both mentally and physically, that youth players must brace themselves for when reaching the first team.
“In youth football you can make mistakes and mistakes don’t always have consequences,” he said. “They [players who graduate] come from that environment to a league that is very physical, where you have to be mentally strong.
“In the PSL you have to fight, being promoted is just the start of one’s journey.”
Ajax will return for preseason training on Monday, 3 July.