After a period extending over six seasons and 11 games without a Premier Soccer League victory over Kaizer Chiefs, Ajax Cape Town on Saturday night earned a dour, back-to-the-wall 1-0 victory over their nemeses that elevated them to top position in the log.
In the process, Chiefs extended a dismal record this season of going through their last 270 minutes of soccer without scoring a goal — and, on the evidence of the aimless, innocuous finishing at Loftus, which had their supporters in an 18 000-strong crowd groaning in apparent agony, it could be another 270 minutes before they score again.
Ironically, Amakhosi enjoyed an overwhelming territorial possession of more than 60% and hovered in the vicinity of the Ajax penalty area for lengthy periods — yet rarely troubled an imperturbable Hans Vonk in goal.
Ajax’s crucial winning goal was scored as early as the eighth minute with a snap, opportunist ground shot inside the penalty area from the gangling Russel Mwafulirwa that left Itumeleng Khune in Chiefs’ goal clutching fresh air.
It was a night to forget for Chiefs and former Ajax coach Muhsin Ertugral, who demonstrated some lurid and frightening expressions on the bench during the 90 minutes. It must indeed have been a painful nightmare for the Turkish-born coach who achieved much commendable success with the youthful Ajax squad last season.
After securing their early lead, Ajax defended in the best tradition of old-fashioned catenaccio football — with nine or 10 players always behind the ball to tie Chiefs in knots.
The trouble with Amakhosi — in addition to their woeful finishing — is that there seems to be no composure or cohesion in their attacks, which played into the hands of the Ajax tactics.
And with Brazilian central defender Eduardo Ferreira and Vonk literally towers of strength, Chiefs seemingly only became more frustrated as the game progressed.
With five points from their five league games this season, Chiefs have now slithered to 10th place in the log — one position worse than last season when they failed even to qualify for the Supa8 tournament — and their much-vaunted revival now appears no more than a mirage in the desert.
The one moment of discontent for Ajax was when coach Craig Rosslee was ordered off the field midway through the second half — but it made little difference to the never-say-die resistance of his doughty players. — Sapa