Ajax Cape Town created the first upset of the new season with a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates at the start of the MTN8 to advance to the semifinals of the lucrative competition later this month.

New signing Ndiviwe Mdabuka scored on debut early in the second half to separate the two sides in an open game in which Pirates looked alarmingly fatigued and were hampered by the absence of several key players out with injury.

Mdabuka impressed Ajax's technical staff for scoring on his debut.

"Mdabuka played his first match for us after spending two years in the National First Division, and he scored against Pirates in Soweto. We are happy for him," assistant coach Ian Taylor said.

Pirates assistant coach Teboho Moloi, meanwhile, lamented their failure to convert their chances.

"We had three chances that we failed to convert. We want to walk the ball into the net. It was the same in the second half," Moloi said.

Bucs had their fair share of chances but their efforts were thwarted by some stout goalkeeping from Anssi Jaakkola.

Mdabuka's goal came six minutes into the second half after some sloppy defending.

Pirates made three quick changes after conceding the goal to try and force an equaliser but despite pinning Ajax back could not convert in the final stages.

Sifiso Myeni produced Pirates' first effort in the 16th minute but his shot was well saved by Jaakkola. Lehlohonolo Majoro had a chance to score three minutes before interval at the end of a sweeping move set up by debutant Amigo Memela, the forward, but missed with his left-footed effort. There were also chances again for Majoro, and for substitute Menzi Masuku and Mpho Makola but they disappointed in front of goal.