Maervyn Muzungu, a 17-year-old central defender from AJ Auxerre, signed a three-year contract with Ajax last summer. This 1.92 meter player made his debut with Ajax’s reserve team, Jong Ajax, in a friendly match against Willem II, finished on a 1-0 loss. Jong Ajax’s coach Willem Weijs expressed his satisfaction with this first, highlighting Muzungu’s potential despite his young age, his lack of Dutch language skills and his progressive adaptation to Dutch football. Weijs noted that Muzungu formed a defensive duo with Tiijn Peters, and was prematurely replaced in the second half due to the score.

Muzungu himself acknowledged that waiting for his first match with Ajax was difficult, although he was able to train during the winter truce. He expressed his joy at having finally had the opportunity to play, despite the disappointing result. He admitted to having experienced some stress at the beginning of the game, notably by watching the stadium fill up, but managed to remain calm. He is also focused on his integration in Amsterdam, in particular on improving his mastery of English and Dutch.

Muzungu’s arrival in Ajax was officially announced on 5 August, and his first game followed almost two months later. Coach Weijs praised Muzungu’s defensive qualities, highlighting his strength, his ability to win duels and his positive contribution with his passes. The player is determined to overcome the barriers associated with the language barrier and to fully integrate into his new professional environment.