Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral is a relieved man now that they have finally launched their challenge for the Absa Premiership.
This was after Chiefs registered their first win of the season in the league after beating Ajax Cape Town 2-0 at Loftus on Saturday night.
The newly crowned MTN8 champions lost their two opening games to Thanda Royal Zulu and Maritzburg United.
Ertugral said he was highly impressed by his charges' eagerness to wrap up the Ajax game, especially in the dying minutes.
"What a great win, you could see in the last few minutes of the game that the guys were desperate to get a well deserved win.
"Siphiwe (Tshabalala) and Arthur (Zwane) scored brilliant goals, the league drought is over and we are going to focus on the league challenge.
"Credit to Ajax, it was clear from the proceedings that they did their home work. We just could not penetrate, especially in the first half."
On the other hand, Ajax coach Craig Rosslee blamed the defeat squarely on the failure to convert their chances into goals.
"We had a lot of chances, especially in the first half. It happens in football. If you don't score, you will be punished."
Rosslee is adamant Ajax will bounce back at the expense of Bloemfontein Celtic - a team guided by his former coach Mich D'Avray - on Wednesday.
With Venezuelan Jose Torrealba making his Premiership debut for Chiefs, the Loftus game was characterised by dozens of missed opportunities.
In the eighth minute, Ajax's goalkeeper Sean Roberts superbly fisted Tshabalala's fierce shot for a corner kick.
In the 19th minute, Chiefs' goalie Itumeleng Khune was equal to the task as he parried Brett Evans' thunderous shot back into play.
Six minutes later, Khune stopped an attempt from the troublesome Mabhuti Khenyeza, who was booed by Chiefs' fans every time he was in possession.
Khenyeza hit the upright in the 38th minute after beating an off-side trap.
Roberts used his feet to save the George Lebese's shot in the 82nd minute. At this stage, Chiefs had stepped up pressure in search of goals.
Their efforts were rewarded in the 87th minute when Tshabalala broke the ice after Allie's header fell in front of him and the dreadlocked winger easily fired home.
As the ultra defensive Ajax were still trying to regroup, substitute Zwane's made it 2-0 with his first touch in the 89th minute.
chiefs elated
Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral is a relieved man now that they have finally launched their challenge for the Absa Premiership.
This was after Chiefs registered their first win of the season in the league after beating Ajax Cape Town 2-0 at Loftus on Saturday night.
The newly crowned MTN8 champions lost their two opening games to Thanda Royal Zulu and Maritzburg United.
Ertugral said he was highly impressed by his charges' eagerness to wrap up the Ajax game, especially in the dying minutes.
"What a great win, you could see in the last few minutes of the game that the guys were desperate to get a well deserved win.
"Siphiwe (Tshabalala) and Arthur (Zwane) scored brilliant goals, the league drought is over and we are going to focus on the league challenge.
"Credit to Ajax, it was clear from the proceedings that they did their home work. We just could not penetrate, especially in the first half."
On the other hand, Ajax coach Craig Rosslee blamed the defeat squarely on the failure to convert their chances into goals.
"We had a lot of chances, especially in the first half. It happens in football. If you don't score, you will be punished."
Rosslee is adamant Ajax will bounce back at the expense of Bloemfontein Celtic - a team guided by his former coach Mich D'Avray - on Wednesday.
With Venezuelan Jose Torrealba making his Premiership debut for Chiefs, the Loftus game was characterised by dozens of missed opportunities.
In the eighth minute, Ajax's goalkeeper Sean Roberts superbly fisted Tshabalala's fierce shot for a corner kick.
In the 19th minute, Chiefs' goalie Itumeleng Khune was equal to the task as he parried Brett Evans' thunderous shot back into play.
Six minutes later, Khune stopped an attempt from the troublesome Mabhuti Khenyeza, who was booed by Chiefs' fans every time he was in possession.
Khenyeza hit the upright in the 38th minute after beating an off-side trap.
Roberts used his feet to save the George Lebese's shot in the 82nd minute. At this stage, Chiefs had stepped up pressure in search of goals.
Their efforts were rewarded in the 87th minute when Tshabalala broke the ice after Allie's header fell in front of him and the dreadlocked winger easily fired home.
As the ultra defensive Ajax were still trying to regroup, substitute Zwane's made it 2-0 with his first touch in the 89th minute.
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