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Ajax book date with Chiefs

They were devastated back in May when Mamelodi Sundowns beat them in the Nedbank Cup final.

But the youngsters of Ajax Cape Town will have another shot at glory after booking their place in the MTN8 final yesterday.

Roger de Sa's boys, who just seem to get better and better, edged 10-man Bidvest Wits 1-0 at Bidvest Stadium to set up a date in the final with Kaizer Chiefs on September 19.

The Ajax team may be made up of young players, but it was veteran Nathan Paulse who sealed the victory for the visitors with a goal in the first half to ensure a 2-1 aggregate win for the Urban Warriors.

Wits, who have not won a knockout since 2010 when De Sa was in charge, made a bright start and should have taken the lead a quarter of an hour into the game, but Elias Pelembe's shot from a Daine Klate cross was tame.

It was downhill from there for Wits, who lost a man and conceded the opening goal after 25 minutes.

Right-back Siyabonga Nhlapo - a victim of a robbery last week - was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Toriq Losper as the last man in defence. Referee Kulasande Qongqo pointed to the spot and Paulse calmly slotted the ball home to give the Urban Warriors an advantage before the break.

The Clever Boys had a glorious opportunity themselves just after the hour. Left back Onismor Bhasera had time and space to pick a spot, but his long range effort did not trouble keeper Anssi Jaakkola.

Paulse somehow could not put the ball into an empty net when there were 12 minutes left on the clock.

The visitors squandered a late penalty when Cecil Lolo had his spot kick saved by Josephs after Ben Motshwari's foul.

De Sa will be hoping for some luck in a cup final. He has been to seven finals, but only has one winners' medal.

He's certainly got a group of players who have what it takes to upset defending champions Amakhosi.

Chiefs will have to keep a close eye on Ajax's Bantu Mzwakali and Ndiviwe Mdabuka, who were excellent in midfield yesterday.

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