Kaizer Chiefs beat Ajax Cape Town 2-0 in an Absa Premiership encounter at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.

It was Amakhosi’s first match at home away from home this season. Lorenzo Gordinho’s header provided the opener, while George Lebese scored the second in injury time.

Ramahlwe Mphahlele returned from international duty with an injury, while centre-back Erick Mathoho had a family bereavement. It meant that Chiefs coach Steve Komphela had to somewhat change the line-up compared to the win over Free State Stars, the last league match before the Fifa-break.

Kgotso Moleko came in at left-back, while Daniel Cardoso partnered Gordinho in the centre of defence.

The first half was an entertaining affair with the home side having most of the ball possession. Ajax, however, attacked whenever getting the opportunity to do so.

Hendrick Ekstein was his lively self in his now familiar attacking midfield role, regularly showing his ball skills, while George Maluleka worked again tremendously hard in a more defensive role.

Furthermore, Sibusiso Khumalo showed his energy, mixing excellent runs going forward with telling interceptions defensively.

Chiefs were the better side in the first half, but that didn’t mean that there were many goalscoring opportunities. As a result, the first half finished goalless.

The second half, however, started like a house on fire with Amakhosi scoring in the 48th minute thanks to Gordinho’s goal, already his third this season. It arrived at the back of a well worked out set-piece –Lebese passed the ball to Maluleka, who crossed the ball into the box for Gordinho to finish.

Thereafter, the game kept entertaining to the obvious satisfaction of the more than 40 000 supporters, who made sure that there was a lively atmosphere at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Ajax tried to come back into the match, but they never really troubled Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

The clash finished, however, a bit with mix feelings. First of all, there was the second goal, scored by George Lebese, who dribbled past Ajax’s goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation after having received an excellent through-ball from Siphiwe Tshabalala.

The negative was that Maluleka received his second yellow card in extra time and was therefore sent off. The midfielder, who had a fine game, can call himself somewhat unlucky.

Lebese was selected as the Man of the Match for a fine performance and an excellent goal.

Thanks to the victory, Chiefs now have 13 points after six Absa Premiership matches played.

The Glamour Boys next host Maritzburg United in the Telkom Knockout Last 16 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 22 September 2016 (kick-off is at 20:15).

Kaizer Chiefs (0) (2) (Gordinho 48’, Lebese 92’)

Ajax Cape Town 0

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Moleko, Gordinho, Cardoso, Khumalo; Twala (Parker 74’), Katsande, Maluleka, Lebese; Ekstein (Tshabalala 64’), Katsvairo (Macha 58’)

Ajax Cape Town: Petersen; Mabaso, Coetzee, Chipeta, Lebusa; Mosadi, Graham, Isaacs, Mokoena (Mzwakali 53’); Mayambela (Morris 67’), Paulse (Nxumalo 84’)