Soccer Laduma rates the individual performances of the players following Ajax Cape Town's 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates in an MTN8 quarterfinal match on Tuesday night, August 4.
Orlando Pirates
Brighton Mhlongo: 7
For the most part was solid between the posts. He made some good saves, but could do nothing to stop the goal
Ntsikelelo Nyauza: 7
Was good in his attacking role as a right-wing back role. Got forward in support and provided some dangerous crosses into the box. Also did well in defence.
Siyabonga Sangweni: 6
Was solid in defence for the majority of the match. He read the game well and broke up numerous attacks. He did get a yellow card.
Tshepo Gumede: 6
Was an inconsistent night for Gumede. At times he was brilliant, but some lapses in concentration afforded Ajax chances on goal.
Patrick Phungwayo: 6
Was a very quiet night for the left-wing back. He did not get forward much in attack, but didhis job for the most part in defence.
Thabo Rakhale: 7
Was exciting down the right flank for Pirates. Was one of their more dangerous players, but his passing in the final third let him down at times.
Oupa Manyisa: 6
Was a quiet night for Manyisa in the heart of the midfield. He was not his usual creative self in attack and lacked spark.
Issa Sarr: 6
Was an average performance from Sarr who was not in the game much. He did not over any driving runs from midfield and lacked punch in his defensive duties.
Sifiso Myeni: 7
He was dangerous in attack, especially when cutting in field from the left flank, but he was often denied by the Ajax keeper who had a good game. Was substituted in the 70th minute.
Luvoyo Memela: 6
At times he was exciting in attack and showed good skill on the ball, but failed to make a real impact in the final third. Was substituted in the 59th minute.
Lehlohonolo Majoro: 6
Was relatively quiet in attack in the first half. In the second half he got into the game more, but was wasteful with the chances he had in front of goal. Was substituted in the 70th minute.
Substitutes
Menzi Masuku: 7
On in the 59th minute for Memela. Looked dangerous in attack and headed one chance late in the game narrowly wide of the goal.
Siphamandla Sangweni: 6
On in the 70th minute for Majoro, but did not have any real impact on the game as he saw very little of the ball.
Mpho Makola: 7
On in the 70th minute for Myeni. Had a decent free-kick effort on goal which went narrowly over the target
Ajax Cape Town
Anssi Jaakkola: 7
Had a great game between the posts for Ajax. He made good saves, anticipated the game well and controlled his defence. Was cautioned late in the game for time wasting.
Cecil Lolo: 6
Was a quiet night for the right back. He did not get forward to often in attack down the flank, but did his defensive duties well.
Rivaldo Coetzee: 7
Did some good work in defence under a lot of pressure from the Pirates attack. He did make one mistake early on in the second half which almost saw Majoro score, but besides from that he was superb.
Abbubaker Mobara: 7
He defended well and kept the likes of Majoro at bay. Was solid and consistent.
Milton Ncube: 6
Up against it in defence as he had to keep an eye on the exciting Rakhale. For the most part he did ok in his left-back role.
Granwald Scott: 7
Was solid in his defensive midfield role. He kept the likes of Manyisa and Sarr out of the game and was consequently handed the 'Man of the Match' award.
Ndiviwe Mdabuka: 7
Was solid in his centre midfield role. Scored the game's opening goal with a powerful shot from the edge of the box.
Ruzaigh Gamildien: 6
Had a quiet night in terms of attack down the right flank, but did have a few shots on goal.
Bantu Mzawkali: 6
Was exciting in his attacking midfield role, but his shooting was not at its best. Was substituted in the 73rd minute.
Riyaad Norodien: 7
He worked hard down the left flank and created the opening goal. He was cautioned late in the game.
Prince Nxumalo: 6
Was a quiet night in attack for the striker who saw very little of the ball.
Substitutes
Toriq Losper: 6
On in the 73rd minute for Mzawkali, but did nothing much of any significance. Did what was required of him as he closed out the game.
Aidan Jenniker: N/A
On in the 88th minute for Ncube. Did not have enough time to make an impact.
Franklin Cale: N/A
On in the 90th minute for Gamildien. Did not have enough time to make an impact.
