Posted in News on Sep 19, 2015.
Kaizer Chiefs failed to keep the MTN8 trophy at the Village, losing 1-0 to Ajax Cape Town at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Nathan Paulse scored the sole goal from the penalty spot.
The opening stages of the game were a tight affair with both teams trying to take control of the midfield. Willard Katsande and Reneilwe Letsholonyane battled it out against Urban Warriors captain Travis Graham and Ndiviwe Mdabuka.
Chiefs tried to find space on the wing. Tsepo Masilela made one of his excellent runs forward just inside ten minutes of play, but his cross failed to reach a teammate. Meanwhile, on the other flank, Siphiwe Tshabalala also managed to break free, a few minutes after Masilela’s run, but he couldn’t find a teammate in the box as well.
Ajax were, as usual, full of energy and running and energy. They even put the ball in the back of the net in the 24th minute. However, the goal didn’t stand as the linesman had raised his flag for offside.
The Cape Town-based side got another good chance to open the score in the 28th minute, but luckily enough the ball hit the sidebar. It was Nathan Paulse, who looked threatening throughout, that created the danger.
No goals were scored in the first half, but it was a difficult affair for the Amakhosi with the Ajax goalkeeper having nothing to do in the first half.
On the other hand, the Urban Warriors created a few good opportunities.
It looked as if Chiefs came out of the dressing room a bit more aggressive and forceful than during the first 45 minutes, but it was again Ajax that got the first real attempt at goal. That was after five minutes of play.
In the 56th minute, Paulse was brought down by Chiefs defender Erick Mathoho and referee Daniel Bennett pointed straight to the spot. Paulse finished coolly, 1-0.
That’s when coach Steve Komphela decided to ring the changes, bringing on Camaldine Abraw (for Siphelele Mthembu) and Edward Manqele (for Bernard Parker).
Chiefs tried to come back, even though it didn’t result immediately in any real chances. Abraw looked lively after coming on.
Still, no real goal scoring opportunities came Amakhosi’s way until injury time, when a header from Katsande was well kept out of goal by the Ajax goalkeeper.
In the end, Chiefs failed to find the equaliser. Ajax were simply the better side on the afternoon.
Chiefs’ next game is at home against the University of Pretoria in an Absa Premiership fixture. The encounter will take place at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening, 23 September (kick-off is at 19:30).
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Ajax Cape Town (0) 1 (Paulse, pen 56’)
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Gaxa, Mathoho, Xulu, Masilela; Lebese (Maluleka 79’), Katsande, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala; Parker (Manqele 58’), Mthembu (Abraw 58’)
Ajax Cape Town: Jaakkola; Lolo, Mobara, Coetzee, Lebusa; Mzwakali (Cale 82’), Graham (Scott 84’), Mdabuka, Norodien (Isaacs 73’): Paulse, Losper
The opening stages of the game were a tight affair with both teams trying to take control of the midfield. Willard Katsande and Reneilwe Letsholonyane battled it out against Urban Warriors captain Travis Graham and Ndiviwe Mdabuka.
Chiefs tried to find space on the wing. Tsepo Masilela made one of his excellent runs forward just inside ten minutes of play, but his cross failed to reach a teammate. Meanwhile, on the other flank, Siphiwe Tshabalala also managed to break free, a few minutes after Masilela’s run, but he couldn’t find a teammate in the box as well.
Ajax were, as usual, full of energy and running and energy. They even put the ball in the back of the net in the 24th minute. However, the goal didn’t stand as the linesman had raised his flag for offside.
The Cape Town-based side got another good chance to open the score in the 28th minute, but luckily enough the ball hit the sidebar. It was Nathan Paulse, who looked threatening throughout, that created the danger.
No goals were scored in the first half, but it was a difficult affair for the Amakhosi with the Ajax goalkeeper having nothing to do in the first half.
On the other hand, the Urban Warriors created a few good opportunities.
It looked as if Chiefs came out of the dressing room a bit more aggressive and forceful than during the first 45 minutes, but it was again Ajax that got the first real attempt at goal. That was after five minutes of play.
In the 56th minute, Paulse was brought down by Chiefs defender Erick Mathoho and referee Daniel Bennett pointed straight to the spot. Paulse finished coolly, 1-0.
That’s when coach Steve Komphela decided to ring the changes, bringing on Camaldine Abraw (for Siphelele Mthembu) and Edward Manqele (for Bernard Parker).
Chiefs tried to come back, even though it didn’t result immediately in any real chances. Abraw looked lively after coming on.
Still, no real goal scoring opportunities came Amakhosi’s way until injury time, when a header from Katsande was well kept out of goal by the Ajax goalkeeper.
In the end, Chiefs failed to find the equaliser. Ajax were simply the better side on the afternoon.
Chiefs’ next game is at home against the University of Pretoria in an Absa Premiership fixture. The encounter will take place at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening, 23 September (kick-off is at 19:30).
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Ajax Cape Town (0) 1 (Paulse, pen 56’)
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Gaxa, Mathoho, Xulu, Masilela; Lebese (Maluleka 79’), Katsande, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala; Parker (Manqele 58’), Mthembu (Abraw 58’)
Ajax Cape Town: Jaakkola; Lolo, Mobara, Coetzee, Lebusa; Mzwakali (Cale 82’), Graham (Scott 84’), Mdabuka, Norodien (Isaacs 73’): Paulse, Losper
