Chiefs showed character and resolve as they rallied after going behind early on against Ajax in Newlands to fight back and collect another morale boosting and team strengthening victory. Chiefs were chasing the game from the sixth minute after David Obua deflected Nhlanhla Tshabalala’s shot past a stranded Rowen Fernandez, thanks to a Gert Schalkwyk brace Chiefs were able to turn things around and allowed the huge Chiefs contingent in the stands the opportunity to go home smiling.

Although the game was billed as a friendly, Ajax had no intention of allowing Chiefs to have a Sunday stroll in the mother city, after getting the early break through the Urban Warriors pressed for more. They were met by stubborn resilience from and inspired Fernandez in the Chiefs goal who was able to keep out whatever was thrown at him. The highlight of Fernandez being a superb double save he made first running at the feet of Seuntjie Mothawaja and dispossessing him before getting back to his feet in record time to stop Granwald Scott on the rebound.

Fernandez heroics just past the half-hour mark seemed to help lift his team mates as Chiefs began to the turn on their hosts; first Ditheko Mototo was unfortunate not to level matters as he unleashed a thunder bolt on the Ajax goal from distance. He watched in agony as Mooneeb Josephs acrobatically turned the ball away for a corner, Gert Schalkwyk and David Mathebula than both went close before Arthur Zwane cut open the Ajax defence. The gliding Zwane laid off a pass to Songwe Chalwe who rounded Josephs and sent a pass across the face of the Ajax goal for Gert Schalkwyk to slot home the ball from close range.

If part of the first half belonged to Ajax, than it can only be justice to say the entire second stanza belonged to Chiefs, as both coaches made changes Chiefs went for a more attacking formation in the second period. It seemed to pay dividends as Kaizer Motaung Junior and Songwe Chalwe began to carve out more opportunities as a dual striking partnership. Gerald Sibeko another second half substitute began to take command of the midfield feeding both Zwane on the right and the strikers up front.

Just before the hour mark Kaizer Junior was set on goal by a Songwe Chalwe flick, was once again unfortunate not to give Chiefs the lead as Josephs saved well under pressure from close range. Ten minutes later they were at it again when Chalwe once again flicked on for Motaung who laid off the ball to Gert Schalkwyk who was thwarted once again by Josephs.

As the game entered the last ten minutes Ajax had the first real chances of the second half, Mfundo Shumana could not beat Fernandez after his first shot was saved Shumana had a second bite of the cherry from the rebound but Fernandez saved superbly the second time around. The Amakhosi than began to build from the back and were rewarded with a corner, from which Fabian McCarthy’s called Joseph’s into action as the Ajax net minder turned over what looked like a certain goal.

Joseph’s was finally beaten four minutes from time when Gerald Sibeko sent a cross in from the right, which was met by the head of Gert Schalkwyk and all Josephs and his defence could was look on as Chiefs took the lead for the first time in the game. Ajax though did have the last chance as Guinean trialist Mantigux hit the up right of Rowen Fernandez goal with a well taken shot from some way out.

Ernst Middendorp was particularly active during the game being more boisterous in shouting instructions to his charges as well as animated displays of emotion when Chiefs scored or missed opportunities. For the coach he has been given another reason to smile as Chiefs look to be growing in confidence and with the resumption of the PSL ten days away on this display the coach has a lot to look forward to.

Line Up’s:

Ajax Cape Town: 1. M. Josephs, 4. D. Isaacs, 12. G. Scott (29. T. Fantani 45 min),

25. B. Evans, 19. R. Mwafulira, 28. G. Mofokeng, 7. N. Tshabalala (11. K. Mulekelayi 45 min), 24. F. Cale (8. I. Some 89 min) 21. S. Mothawaja (15. M. Sihawala 45 min), 17. Q. Jacobs (6. M. Shumana 65 min), 31. F. Mantigux,

Substitutes:

22. S. Pogenpoel, 11. K. Mulekelayi, 15. M. Siwahla, 29. T. Fanteni, 10. B. Carelse, 16. A. Petim, 6. M. Shumana, 8. I. Some

Coach: Gordon Ingesund

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 4. C. Nzama, 21. P. Mayo,

44. S. Mkhonza (5. P. Mabedi 45 min), 13. D. Obua (7. K. Motaung Jnr 45 min),

28. D. Spencer (27.G. Sibeko 45 min), 18. A. Zwane (31. D. Radebe 78 min),

33. D. Mototo, 24. D. Mathebula (6. F. McCarthy 45 min), 25. G. Schalkwyk,

10. S. Chalwe (22. N. Sikhakhane 88 min)

Substitutes:

30. T. Mathibe, 27. G. Sibeko, 7. K.Motaung Jnr, 31. D. Radebe, 5. P Mabedi,

6. F. McCarthy, 22. N. Sikhakhane

Coach: Ernst Middendorp

Yellow Cards: Chiefs 28. Spencer 44 min

Officials: Referee: A.B. Ebrahim


Assistant 1: F. Daniels


Assistant 2: I. Abrahams


4th Official: C. Theron