Result: Ajax Cape Town 3-2 Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila
Date: 06 September 2020
Venue: Rand Stadium
Ajax Cape Town began their promotion/relegation play-off campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Sunday afternoon.
The Urban Warriors were boosted by the return of GladAfrica Championship top scorer Abednigo Mosiatlhaga alongside Junior Sibande and Chumani Butsaka.
Ajax were the most threatening side in the early exchanges as Mosiatlhaga had a great chance in the 14th minute to open the scoring but he guided his header over the bar before went even closer with an effort from the edge of the box four minutes later.
While Ajax managed to carve out a couple sights at goal, TTM struggled make any inroads at the other end as Urban Warriors shot-stopper Nick Hengelman enjoyed a quiet opening 45 minutes.
Ajax had a dream start in the second stanza as Rodgers opened the scoring barely two minutes after the break with a glancing header at the near post that found far corner.
Vhadau Vha Damani levelled matters just before the hour-mark after Thembisani Nevhulamba had the easy task of heading the ball into a gaping net from close range after a good cross by Tommy Mandlazi.
Lucky Nelukau's troops completed the turnaround three minutes later after another headed effort from Tebogo Thangwane beat Hengelman from a corner-kick.
Despite the sloppiness at the back, Ajax got back into the game with 11 minutes left thanks to Sonwabile Mfecane's clinical low strike from the centre of the box that wrong-footed Mamudzidi, after coming off the bench.
The Urban Warriors were in front again five minutes before time after another substitute, Keegan Johannes, made it 3-2 with a stunning volley from just inside the box that beat Mamudzidi at his near post.
Johannes' strike managed to be the clinch as Ajax moved top of the mini-log before facing Black Leopards on Wednesday while TTM were left without points.
Ajax: Hengelman; Stander, Mahamutsa, Sibande, Mukumela, Mkhize, Kabwe, Margeman, Butsaka, Mosiatlhaga, Rodgers.
Subs: Johnson, Mosadi, Mokate, S.Mfecane, Johannes, Abrahams, K.Mfecane, Koopstadt, Velebayi.
TTM: Mamudzidi, Mashele, Nyadombo, Thangwane, Mabotja, Ndlondlo, Masgela, Mokoena, Mbandlwa, Makhubu, Venhulamba.
Subs: Ntwa, Amoojee, Makgoga, Khumalo, Ndebele, Mandlazi, Dzanga, Hlongo, Moremedi.
