Urban Warriors crowned Telkom champs

Ajax Cape Town are the new Telkom Cup champions after they beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 in a thrilling game at the Chatsworth Stadium in Durban on Saturday night.

Two early goals from man-of-the-match Mabhudi Khenyeza put the Cape Town side in the driving seat, although it was Pirates who dominated most of the game, hitting the bar on three occasions. However, it took the Soweto side until the 75th minute before they were finally able to convert their possession superiority into a goal.

Ajax started the game with all guns blazing and before a minute was even on the clock Khenyeza had fired in a dangerous ball across the goal line which narrowly eluded Sifiso Vilakazi.

Franklyn Cale’s part in the opening goal, which arrived after just ten minutes, was key, as he skinned Rooi Mahamutsa down the left flank before whipping in a superb waist-high cross.

Khenyeza’s finish was out of the top drawer and was a prime example of a player brimming with confidence -- the Ajax striker found himself with his back to the goal, but had the presence of mind and the improvisation to throw his body at the ball and use the outside of his boot to flick the ball past Pirates keeper Moeneeb Josephs.

Ajax’s second goal arrived six minutes later and came via a short corner, which saw the ball worked to Cale, whose cross into the box was missed by Bucs skipper Lehlohonolo Seema.

The ball fell to Clayton Daniels, who, from a tight angle on the right, squeezed the ball past Josephs and across the goal, giving Khenyeza the opportunity to bundle home from close range.

Pirates would have been excused for feeling shell-shocked at that stage of the game, however, they showed character to pick themselves up and fight back.

But while the pressure from Bucs was relentless, things would just not fall for them in front of goal, as they were denied on numerous occasions -- either by determined Ajax defending or by the woodwork.

In the 25th minute Bucs midfielder Benson Mhlongo rose majestically inside the Ajax box to head goal-wards, only to see the ball brushing the cross bar.

Seven minutes later Pirates were again unlucky when winger Dikgang Mabalane, who was having an outstanding game for the Buccaneers down the right flank, released Gilbert Mushangisike in on goal. The Zimbabwean striker’s shot was hit with immense power, but the ball smashed into the crossbar and back into play.

At the other end of the field Sifiso Vilakazi came close to adding a third for Ajax when he went inches wide with a header from a corner.

However, it was still Pirates who looked more threatening and a couple of minutes before the break it took a good save from Ajax shot stopper Andre Petim to keep Teko Modise’s half-volley out of the net.

The Cape side were out of the blocks quickly in the second half and it took a good save from Josephs to prevent Dipsy Selolwane from scoring with a curler from the edge of the box.

However, Pirates soon took control of the game again and came close in the 54th minute when Mushangisike’s scorching effort flew inches over the bar, while four minutes later Mabalane struck the base of the upright from a tight angle.

Ruud Krol’s side always looked most dangerous when attacking down the flanks, where Mabalane and substitute Bennett Chenene were having superb games.

In the 70th minute another great cross from Mabalane looked set to Mushangisike pulling a goal back, but he was just not able to climb high enough to head the ball home.

The Sea Robbers’ persistence finally paid off after 75 minutes when good combination play between Modise and Mushangazhike saw the ball worked to substitute Siphelele Mthembu, who finished clinically with a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The final 15 minutes were packed with drama, culminating in what was the final chance of the game when a mistake by Nazier Allie let Chenene in on goal, but the Bucs winger dragged his shot wide of goal, and with it any chance the Buccaneers had of extending the game into extra time.

TEAMS

Orlando Pirates: Josephs, Mahamutsa, Thwala, Seema, Lekgwathi (Mthembu 70’), Mabalane, Mhlongo, Mothibantwa, Modise, Mushangazhike, Mhlambi (Chenene 42’)

Ajax Cape Town: Petim, Allie, Daniels, Carelse, Evans, Doutie (Siwahla 82’), Shabalala, Selolwane, Cale, Vilakazi (Ngobeni 76’), Khenyeza