Matchday 15 - Report
Thanda Royal Zulu - Ajax Cape Town
DURBAN, January 10 (Absa Premier League) – Mabhudi Khenyeza scored the only goal to help Ajax Cape Town move back to the top of the Absa Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Thanda Royal Zulu.
The Urban Warriors striker was lively throughout an otherwise tight 90 minutes and popped up to net the only goal shortly before the half-hour mark when he was on hand to finish neatly from the centre of the penalty area.
It gave Craig Rosslee’s team their first win of 2009 after they drew their opener against arch-rivals Santos in the Cape derby on Wednesday with the same player stealing in for a late equaliser.
In Hammersdale today, Khenyeza showed aggression from the start and ended any chance for the home team to claim a fourth win in five games – they won three out of four to end 2008.
After just four minutes he turned sharply on the edge of the penalty area and tested Aubrey Mathibe with an accurate shot what was straight at the Amabhubesi goalkeeper.
The hosts hit back with shots from Bernard Loke and Musa Nyatama, but both were off target, before Franklyn Cale drilled his left-footed strike the flank narrowly pass the upright.
In the 29th minute though Khenyeza made no mistake when he picked up the ball on the right side of the penalty area and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Thanda had to wait 10 minutes for their next opening but were again wasteful as Felix Obada’s cross was pulled left by Sibusiso Hadebe from just inside the penalty area.
Sameegh Doutie then drew a fine diving save from Mathibe after his 18-yard effort looked certain to find the back of the net, but for the home custodian’s timely intervention.
That stop brought an end to the opening 45 minutes and strong half-time talking to by coach Roger Palmgren looked to have lifted Thanda at the start of the second half.
Obada found the target for the first time, albeit with a shot straight at Andre Petim in the Ajax goal, before Clement Mazibuko twice shot wide while in good positions of 20 yards and 12 yards respectively.
Khenyeza was again in the mix 12 minutes from time when he lashed his 18-yard strike with his right boot into the crowd.
Substitute Peter Ndlovu had two late chances from the edge of the area but fired wastefully wide as Thanda dropped to 12th in the league table.