Tefu Mashamaite helped Kaizer Chiefs continue their perfect start to the Absa Premier League season with a headed goal to drive Amakhosi to yet another win, this time against Ajax Cape Town at a packed Cape Town Stadium.

Mashamaite netted after 49 minutes from Siphiwe Tshabalala’s free kick while Ajax had assistant coach Ian Taylor sent off for verbal abuse towards the match officials.

Kaizer Chiefs started with Siphiwe Tshabalala up front with George Lebese, George Maluleka and Mandla Masango behind him. The only striker in Chiefs’ matchday squad was Siphelele Mthembu, who started on the bench.

The game was played in a packed Cape Town Stadium on a warm afternoon, but the wind picked up quite strongly just before kick off with the ball swerving around substantially on pitch level.

After 13 minutes the first shot at goal arrived when Keagan Dolly found space and let rip, but his left-footed shot flew over the crossbar.

Just four minutes later and Ajax came close again when Bantu Mzwakali’s free kick curled over the wall and dipped towards the top corner of goal, but Brilliant Khuzwayo made a fine save to keep it out.

In the 31st minute Keagan Dolly made a run inside the field and got into space, but his left footed shot lacked accuracy and drifted wide of goal. Just moments later Ajax had Chiefs under pressure on the edge of their danger area, but the defence managed to crowd out Thabiso Nkoana and avert the danger.

Morgan Gould made a great tackle in the 39th minute to deny Nkoana who was inside the danger area and about to unleash a shot. A solid tackle just in time to avert the danger.

The last five minutes of the first half began to get ugly as tackles flew in from both sides. Siboniso Gaxa got cautioned for a rough challenge and then Ajax assistant coach Ian Taylor was sent off for arguing with the match officials.

Chiefs opened the scoring after 49 minutes when Tefu Mashamaite got onto the end of Tshabalala's curling free kick from deep in the field and buried a header past Jaakkola.

A few moments later and Chiefs were asking questions again as the game had suddenly opened up after the goal. This time, Tshabalala’s delightful cross evaded everybody and Ajax were let off the hook.

In the 73rd minute Tsepo Masilela got down the left wing and whipped in a great cross, but Ajax were able to defend it in the air and clear the danger, and moments later Chiefs had a penalty appeal turned down.

On 80 minutes Franklin Cale got down the right wing and beat his man, but his cross was defended well. A few minutes later he was at it again and this time won Ajax a corner from which Khuzwayo did the necessary goalkeeping work.

Right at the death Franklin Cale blasted a free kick way over the bar from a very inviting position.

Ajax Cape Town 0

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Mashamaite 49’)

Teams:

Ajax Cape Town: Jaakkola – Allie, Coetzee, Mobara, Lebusa – Graham, Scott – Morris (Cale 69’), Mzwakali (Ngalande 79’), Dolly (Paulse 59’) - Nkoana

Kaizer Chiefs: Khuzwayo – Gaxa, Mashamaite, Gould, Masilela – Katsande – Lebese (Mathoho 81’), Letsholonyane, Maluleka (Mthembu 63’), Tshabalala – Masango (Bukenya 90’)