Ajax in must-win Round 30 clash

by Graeme Jackson

Friday May 11, 2018. 09:00

Ajax Cape Town will host Kaizer Chiefs for a must-win Round 30 Absa Premiership clash at the Cape Town Stadium on 12 May 2018, kick-off at 15h00.

Ajax suffered a 14th league defeat (and confirmed a winless away league season) when they were beaten 3-1 at champions Mamelodi Sundowns on April 28. The result left the Cape side two points away from the safety of 14th place and they must win this match to have any chance of avoiding the relegation playoffs.

The good news for the Urban Warriors is that they have claimed 27 points from 14 home matches this season and are chasing a fifth straight victory as hosts.

Chiefs claimed a second win from their last three league matches when they beat Maritzburg United 2-0 at home on April 28. A win in this clash will secure a third-place finish for the Soweto giants.

The Amakhosi have claimed 23 points from 14 away matches this season, but their last game on the road ended in a 3-1 loss at Golden Arrows in Round 28.

In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Ajax have met in 37 league matches since 1999/2000. The Amakhosi have 16 wins compared to nine for the Urban Warriors, while 12 matches have been drawn. The Cape side has won seven of 18 home league matches in the rivalry, suffering four defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, in Durban in December 2017, Chiefs claimed a 1-0 home win thanks to a late strike from Dumisani Zuma. The Amakhosi are unbeaten in their last eight league matches against the Urban Warriors.

Ajax’s line-up from their 3-1 loss to Sundowns on April 28: February; Kammies, Nhlapo (Julies 39’), Booysen, Lebusa, Nel (Malepe 62’), Margeman, Kabwe, Losper (Morris 62’), Lakay, Zakri

Chiefs’ line-up from their 2-0 win over Maritzburg on April 28: Khune, Mphahlele, Cardoso, Ngezana, Khumalo (Zulu 81’), Molangoane (Chirambadare 79’), Katsande, Maluleka, Tshabalala, Parker, Paez.