Chiefs edge Ajax
Ajax Cape Town lost 2-0 to Kaizer Chiefs at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Goals in each half by Letsholonyane (07min) and Parker (66min) sealed the game for the home team.
It was a cautious start from both teams, Ajax enjoying the possession while Chiefs look to break early with quick counter-attacks.
The home team opened the scoring in the seventh minute when they took advantage after Ajax lost the ball Letsholonyane scored from close range to give Chiefs the lead.
The Urban Warriors fought back and enjoyed good period of possession in the Chiefs half. The pressure resulted in an Ajax free-kick, which was cleared by the Chiefs defence. Ajax continued to press forward, Rusike was played into space behind the Amakhozi defence but he was squeezed off the ball for a goal-kick.
In the 16th minute Maluleka robbed Dladla of the ball to fire a shot at the Chiefs goal, Khune made the save to deny the Ajax midfielder.
Minutes later the game swung to the other end with Chiefs winning two consecutive corners, Westerveld made the save off the first corner while the second resulted in a goal-kick.
Ajax continued to search for an equalizer, Carelse played a deft ball to Maluleka in the 18 yard area but it ran away from the Ajax midfielder.
Minutes later Maluleka was on target again with a shot from the edge of the penalty area, after he received a square pass from Rusike, but Khune was in position to make the save.
Chiefs too had a chance to extend their lead in the 28th minute when Shabalala’s shot hit the upright.
Ajax enjoyed a late rally, probing for an opening as they kept possession for the last 8 minutes of the first half.
In the 42nd second minute of the game, Alexander played the ball to Manyama who crossed to the far post, both Billiat and Rusike attacked the ball but they got in each-others way.
A minute later Hlatshwayo’s long ball found Carelse who flicked it to Rusike but the Chiefs defence cleared the danger. Chiefs were under pressure and Ritchie’s clearance hit an Ajax player, the rebound flew towards the Chiefs goal causing Khune to scramble as he tried to retrieve the ball but conceded a corner instead. Khune made amends when he pushed the ball off Booth’s head to clear the danger.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first with Ajax enjoying the bulk of the possession while Chiefs completed the most passes.
Ajax took the game to Chiefs but they could not find the equaliser. Manyama, Carelse and Billiat came close for Ajax while Shabalala hit the side netting for Chiefs.
A second Chiefs goal in the 66th minute took the wind out of the Ajax sails resulting in substitutions by the Ajax bench. Akpabio came on for Carelse and Van Graan came on for Rusike, a late effort by Vilakazi who cut into the penalty area forced Khune to make the save with his knee.
Chiefs held on to their lead until the final whistle to win all three points.
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE BUT NONE GOALS- WHAT A TSUNAMI. THERE IS NO HUNGER AT AJAX CAMP. PLS GUYS PULL UP YOUR SOCKS FOR NEXT SEASON. WE NEED FOUR STRIKERS AND FOUR DEFENDER (EXPERIENCE COUNT)