Ajax Cape Town spoiled the celebration plans of thousands of Mamelodi Sundowns fans who came all the way from Tshwane only to see their team outplayed and outclassed in an exciting Absa Cup final at a packed Absa Stadium on Saturday night.
Sundowns were aiming for a domestic double but Ajax, who have now beaten them four times this season, were more confident and evidently better prepared than the millionaire outfit from Tshwane.
A 16th-minute goal by Bryce Moon gave the visitors the advantage going into the break. With only 10 minutes to full-time, Franklin Cale finished off the Brazilians with a lob from 20 yards out.
The game started at a high tempo as Ajax threatened to score as early as the second minute through Moon. The speedy right-winger sped towards Calvin Marlin’s goal and, just as he pulled the trigger, David Kannemeyer made a fine sliding tackle to deny the Pietermaritzburg-born youngster.
Lerato Chabangu looked promising on the right flank for Sundowns as he found acres of space to attack. In the 15th minute he whipped in a deceptive cross that everyone, including his teammates, missed as it flew across Hans Vonk’s goal mouth.
A minute later, Ajax made no mistake going forward. Nazeer Allie latched on to a loose ball and released Cale on the right. He played in a good cross, and despite an attempt to clear it, the ball fell to the feet of Moon, who silenced the Sundowns faithful with a rocket-like shot.
Moon also provided Nathan Paulse with a chance to score when he found the lanky striker in space, and although he advanced on Marlin’s goal, Paulse held on too long and allowed Michael Manzini and company to take the ball from him.
Sundowns went into the break looking more concerned than the Cape Town youngsters.
Castle Premiership young player of the year Clifford Ngobeni battled with player of the year Godfrey Sapula and was ably assisted by Eyong Enoh. The Ajax midfielders kept Sapula at bay and even with the evergreen Josta Dladla and the skilful Manqoba Ngwenya coming on for Dillon Sheppard and David Kannemeyer respectively, the hosts could not find a way through.
As the league champs became frustrated they committed unnecessary tackles and fouls, and when Ngobeni retaliated and tripped Sapula, referee Thabo Nkosi flashed him a yellow card. Despite the inconsistencies of the match officials, both sets of players remained calm and concentrated on their respective game plans.
Ajax were content to defend their slim lead and sat back as Dladla, Surprise Moriri and even Manzini surged forward. Vonk was not thoroughly tested, though, and the veteran goalkeeper constantly spoke to his back four, trying to keep them as composed as he was in goal.
On the other end, Marlin erred uncharacteristically when he came out of his box to clear a ball. With the goal exposed, Cale — who had a poor game by his standards — latched on to the ball, lobbed it towards the goal and watched as it bounced over the line and into the roof of the net.
With time running out, Sundowns rushed forward while Ajax’s youths kept their cool and averted the danger smartly. Young right-back Nazeer Allie showed a maturity that comes with beating a league champion three times and, with the fourth win minutes away, kept his cool and stood head and shoulders above Sheppard and Kannemeyer, both former products of the Mother City team.
Except for Vonk, this young brigade of champions have sent out a warning to the rest of the Premiership’s clubs, and unless the rest cultivate and motivate their youth, Ajax will be starring in many Cup finals to come. — Sapa