14th September 2011

Kick off: 19h30

Kaizer Chiefs lost their first league game of the season when they went down 2-1 in an Absa Premiership clash against Ajax Cape Town at the Cape Town stadium on Wednesday evening.

Very much against the run of play Ajax went ahead when they won a questionable penalty which was converted by Thembinkosi Fanteni in the 20th minute, Reneilwe Letsholonyane making his first league start of the season brought Chiefs level on 48 minutes.

Ajax found a winning goal when Lebogang Manyama made the most of some good fortune and scored Ajax’s second in the 76th minute.

Chiefs began the game in attacking mode and created a good goal scoring chance 11 minutes in, Zhaimu Jambo on the left flank played a sweeping through ball to Bernard Parker.

Who tore away from his marker Thulani Hlatshwayo before cutting in field and inside the Ajax 18 yard area he unleashed a powerful shot goal wards, which forced Ajax keeper Sean Roberts into making a two handed save as he pushed the ball up and it bounced behind him but the post came to his rescue as the ball bounced onto the wood work before he pushed it out for a corner.

A minute on Khama Billiat was played through on goal but he went down as Itumeleng Khune came out for the ball, while Billiat’s play acting was frowned upon his teammate Thembinkosi Fanteni was able to convince the match official that he was brought down.

On 19 minutes the ball ricocheted off Lucky Baloyi’s knee and went towards Khune who came off his line to collect the ball, Fanteni clattered into Khune with the Chiefs keeper not making contact with him.

The luck went his way and Fanteni was awarded a spot kick, he picked himself up and sent Khune the wrong way from 12 yards to put Ajax ahead in rather contentious circumstances.

Bernard Parker came close to leveling the scores as we went close with a downward header at goal off a pinpoint cross from the left in the 29th minute.

Chiefs responded to adversity in the best possible manner, three minutes after the restart Letsholonyane battled for the ball on the left edge of the Ajax 18 yard area, once he won the ball he played it to Siphiwe Tshabalala who in turn rolled the ball into his path.

Lethsolonyane ran onto the ball and curled it delightfully round Roberts to beat him hands down and bring the Amakhosi justifiably level.

Sixteen minutes from time Tinashe Nengomasha was yellow carded for a foul on Manyama, the booking rules him out of Chiefs derby game against Orlando Pirates this coming Saturday.

Shortly after that Chiefs found themselves behind once again, Dominic Isaacs under pressure from Billiat attempted to clearance the ball, it hit Nengomasha and fell invitingly to Manyama who found himself in acres of space and headed goal wards and placed the ball past Khune to give the hosts the lead.

In the closing stages of the match and it took a desperate clearance by Thato Mokeke to deny Siphiwe Tshabalala from finding an equalizer, that coming in the 83rd minute and two minutes on Lucky Baloyi had Roberts at full stretch but his effort from distance lacked the power to beat the Ajax keeper.

Chiefs came close to finding a late leveler in referees optional time at the end of the second half, Thomas Sweswe sent in a looping cross from the left which Chiefs substitute Lehlohonolo Majoro rose up and headed with great power towards goal.

Roberts got a feint touch on the ball and pushed it onto his cross bar to ensure that Ajax held on for the win.

Line Up’s:

Ajax Cape Town: 30. Roberts, 3. Hlatshwayo, 2. Allie, 20. Mokeke, 22. Jenniker, 8. Manyama, 6. Maluleka (21. Lolo 65’), 7. Shabalala ( 13. Alexander 77’), 11. Billiat, 15. Vilakazi, 29. Fanteni (28. Correira 72’)

Cautions: 20. Thato Mokeke 60’

Coach: Marteen Stekelenberg

Kaizer Chiefs: 32. Khune, 2. Tau, 5. Isaacs, 3. Sweswe, 29. Jambo, 35. Baloyi (9. Dladla 86’), 8. Nengomasha, 6. Letsholonyane (22. Masango 86’), 14. Tshabalala, 23. Ngcobo (20. Majoro 69’), 25. Parker

Cautions: 32. Itumeleng Khune 19’

Coach: Vladimir Vermezovic

Assistant Coach: Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse

Goalkeeper Coach: Rainer Dinkelacker