Khenyeza hat-trick downs Thanda

Ajax signalled their intentions after eight minutes when Botswana international Dipsey Selolwane brought a save out of Aubrey Mathibe with a 25-yard shot. Thanda’s reply came in the 22nd minute when Clement Mazibuko shot from range, but the former Sundowns winger was well wide of the mark.

Three minutes later Mabuthi Khenyeza, who was posing a constant threat to the visiting side, had a shot blocked.

Thanda’s first effort on target came in the 34th minute when Nkosinathi Nhleko tested Andre Petim with a 20-yard effort. But five minutes later Craig Rosslee’s side were in front when Sameehg Doutie swung in a corner which was headed home by Khenyeza.

Doutie was having a great game for the Cape Town side and nearly made it 2-0 a couple of minutes before the break when his shot from range sizzled just wide of the upright.

Ajax gained a firmer grip on the game just five minutes after the restart when Khenyeza grabbed his brace with a simple chance from close range following Doutie’s square ball.

In the 56th minute Thanda’s fate was all but sealed when a well-worked short corner routine ended with Thulani Serero stroking the ball into the roof of the net.

Eduardo Ferreira wasted a chance to net a fourth for the home side four minutes later when he blasted wide after being presented by a great chance following Cale’s industry down the left.

The KZN side were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when James Madidilani was red-carded, but the visitors managed to get on the score-sheet five minutes from time when July Mahlangu beat Petim from inside the box.

But any hopes of a comeback were crushed as Sereo netted minutes later after taking the ball round Mathibve, before Khenyeza completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute.

But with seven minutes of added time at the end of the game, Thanda were still able to score their second goal as Mahlangu got on the score-sheet for the second time.