Ajax Cape Town beat Swaziland’s Mhlambanyatsi Rovers in the first leg of the first round of the CAF Champions league by 1-0 at Newlands on Sunday.
The goal came in the 35th minute when clever play by Brent Carelse saw the ball go to Nhlanhla Tshabalala, whose powerful shot ricocheted into the goal off a defender.
The home side were far better than their opponents, but poor finishing once again saw them battle for a better win.
The Rovers packed their defence and were dangerous on attack at times.
In the second minute, Franklin Cale broke down the left, rounded his opposite number and cut in, and his shot hit the side of the net.
In the ninth minute, a back-header to goalkeeper Mkhosana Mabuza saw Wilfred Mugeyi race in, but he just failed to reach the ball before it was collected.
On a rare occasion for the visitors, Meduzi Maluli’s free-kick was superbly tapped over the bar by Andre Petim.
The play was confined mostly to midfield. However, Ajax should it have wrapped it up with more goals in the first half. — Sapa