Chipeta own goal knocks out Ajax

SuperSport United players run for cover as the team's reserve bench is blown over following a huge storm that suspended play during the Telkom Knockout last-16 clash involving Ajax Cape Town in Atteridgeville on Saturday night. Photo: Aubrey Kgakatsi, BackpagePix

SuperSport United players run for cover as the team's reserve bench is blown over following a huge storm that suspended play during the Telkom Knockout last-16 clash involving Ajax Cape Town in Atteridgeville on Saturday night. Photo: Aubrey Kgakatsi, BackpagePix

Published Oct 22, 2016

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The match will be remembered more for the flying advertising boards due to a heavy storm, but SuperSport United did just enough to edge past Ajax Cape Town in the Telkom Knockout on Saturday night.

Ajax defender Erick Chipeta’s own goal – following a shot from SuperSport right winger Thuso Phala – in the second minute of extra time handed the Pretoria side a passage into the quarter-finals following a rather forgettable 120 minutes at the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.

Well, what will be remembered was seeing advertising boards being blown on to the pitch and the teams’ respective benches being overturned by strong winds as thunder, lightning and heavy rain descended on Gauteng, which saw the game suspended for about 20 minutes soon after Ajax conceded the goal.

There was a similar scenario down the N1 highway in Soweto, where a storm caused the floodlights to go out in the Kaizer Chiefs-Maritzburg United encounter, although the game resumed quicker than it did in Atteridgeville, which is about 17km west of Pretoria.

Ajax would’ve been hoping that the match would be abandoned entirely and be replayed as the delay was close to halftime of extra time, but the match officials felt that the game could continue despite rain continuing to fall.

But the Urban Warriors seldom threatened the SuperSport goal throughout the 120 minutes, with their best opportunities coming in the closing stages through two free kicks from substitute Mark Mayambela.

It was SuperSport who nearly made the breakthroughs during regulation time, with Kingston Nkhatha’s snap shot whistling past Ajax goalkeeper Jody February and going wide in the 31st minute, while Bradley Grobler blasted his effort just over the crossbar with 12 minutes to go.

But the deadlock was broken when Phala fired in a shot from the right early during extra time, and Chipeta stuck out a leg to direct the ball into the left corner with February having gone to the right.

Ajax pushed forward, but didn’t really trouble the SuperSport defence, and it was the home side who should’ve doubled their advantage through striker Jeremy Brockie, but he was denied by a great save from February.

So Roger de Sa and his team continue their winless start to the season – having drawn two and lost three in the Premiership – and the coach will hope that their luck will change in Wednesday’s league clash against Wits at Cape Town Stadium (7.30pm kickoff).

In the other Telkom Knockout last-16 clash on Saturday night, Kaizer Chiefs advanced to the next round by beating Maritzburg United 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 0-0 following extra time.

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