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Chiefs beat Ajax to move to second

Johannesburg - A late strike from replacement Dumisani Zuma enabled Kaizer Chiefs to record a 1-0 over Ajax Cape Town in an Absa Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday night.

Amakhosi dominated proceedings but had to wait until the 85th minute for Zuma to finally break the deadlock.

The home side completely dominated the first half, but it just would not fall for them in front of goal.

The second half was to go the same way as Chiefs continued to chip away at the Ajax defence without any success until Zuma won the match with a late strike.

The hosts suffered an early setback when Philani Zulu was forced off the field with a muscle strain after 10 minutes, being replaced by Khotso Malope. 

For all their possession, it took the Soweto side a while to create openings, with Bernard Parker's 36th minute header flashing narrowly wide. 

Ajax's best moment came three minutes later when Tashreeq Morris was just unable to get a touch on the ball with the goal at his mercy after Itumeleng Khune had parried Thabo Mosadi's cross.

Chiefs though remained on top and Parker was unlucky to see his shot from a tight angle on 43 minutes grazing the outside of the upright. 

Neither side was able to take a hold of the game after the restart and it was 13 minutes into the second stanza before there was a chance on goal as Gustavo Paez sent a shot the wrong side of the right hand upright. 

However, Chiefs were to soon regain the upper-hand and had chances as Malope, Teenage Hadebe and George Maluleka all went close. 

The Glamour Boys finally had their persistence rewarded, five minutes from time, when Zuma reacted sharply to a loose ball in the box to go past a defender and then pick out the bottom corner as the Soweto club ended 2017 with six points from their last two outings.

The victory saw Chiefs move up to second on the Absa Premiership standings, while Ajax are languishing in 15th spot with just Wits below them.


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