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Chiefs back to the top of the log

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs had to work hard before coming away with maximum points following a 2-0 win over Ajax Cape Town at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening.

Chiefs were on top for the entire first half, but failed to create enough clear-cut chances. Amakhosi went in front just after the restart but had to survive a late onslaught by Ajax before sealing the match with a goal in stoppage-time.

Ajax had the first chance of the game in the third minute when a slip by Lorenzo Gordinho saw Nathan Paulse clean through on goal, but with Itumeleng Khune bearing down he steered his parting shot wide.

But after that it was one-way traffic as Amakhosi dictated play on a stormy evening in Durban. Despite enjoying territorial and ball possession advantage, the Soweto side battled to break down a resolute Urban Warriors defence.

This meant that their only clear-cut chance to score fell the way of left-back Sibusiso Khumalo but after receiving a pin-point cross from William Twala, he got his angles all wrong on his 39th minute header.

However, it took Steve Komphela’s side only three second half minutes to take the lead, with the goal scoring defender Gordinho arriving unmarked to head the ball over the line following George Maluleka’s superb cross.

Twala then wasted a guilt-edged opportunity to double the lead when he lost his nerve at close quarters after another perfect cross from Maluleka before Siphiwe Tshabalala’s cross deflected off a defender and onto the cross-bar.

The misses nearly proved costly 18 minutes from time when Tashreeq Morris curled an effort from the edge of the area inches wide.

The Cape side, without a win this season and entrenched in the drop zone, pushed hard for a goal in the final 10 minutes.

The best opportunity fell to Prince Nxumalo when a mistake in the Amakhosi box saw him able to shoot from 14-yards out, but he miscued the effort wide of the far post.

Deep in added time a blistering break up field saw the ball finding it’s way to George Lebese, who showed great composure to beat Brandon Peterson and roll the ball into an empty net to seal the win.

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