Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates crashed out at the first hurdle in the MTN8 as Ndiviwe Mdabuka fired Ajax Cape Town to a 1-0 win at Orlando Stadium, in Orlando, on Tuesday.
While The Buccaneers dominated proceedings on the night, their failure to convert any of their countless chances cost them a place in the last four of the Cup competition.
In contrast, Roger de Sa’s men were clinical in front of goal as Mdabuka’s second-half strike was one of the few genuine goal-scoring opportunities for the men from Cape Town.
The visitors had their first chance in the 10th minute through a defensive lapse from Pirates as they gave away the ball deep inside their own half. The shot fell to Mdabuka on the edge of the area, but he could not keep his attempt down as the ball flew into the cheap seats.
In the 16th minute, Sifiso Myeni had the chance to open the scoring. After showing good composure in the box to drift away from a bewildered defender, his shot required a diving save from Anssi Jaakkola in the Ajax goal.
In the 36th minute, Pirates wasted a golden opportunity to break the deadlock. Lehlohonolo Majoro seemed to be away from two Ajax defenders, but instead of shooting he put in a back-heel that caught his teammates by surprise and the ball was cleared.
Four minutes before the break, Majoro had another chance in the box but this time his shot was fired way over the target.
Right after the interval, Majoro snapped up a loose ball that should have been cleared by the Ajax defence, and the visitors could only watch as the Pirates talisman’s deft effort drifted inches wide.
Ajax struck the opener in the 55th minute as Mdabuka buried a rebound from the edge of the area to stun the home team to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
In the 72nd minute, substitute Mpho Makola stepped up to take a free kick in an inviting spot just outside the box. Makola’s well-struck attempt, however, did not have enough dip on it as it singed the crossbar on its way out for a goal kick.
Pirates had yet another chance to score with just over 10 minutes remaining, but Menzi Masuku’s header from close range could not find the target.
In the dying moments of the clash, substitute Lehlohonolo Masalesa who had not played any part in the contest received a red-card for comments he made to the fourth official. - ANA