Ajax Cape Town put five past

Eleazar Rodgers of Ajax Cape Town celebrates goal during the GladAfrica Championship 2019/20 Playoffs match between Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC and Ajax Cape Town on the 15 September 2020 at Bidvest Stadium, Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

by Helder Ribiero

Tuesday Sep 15, 2020. 17:35

Eleazar Rodgers netted a second-half hat-trick as Ajax Cape Town claimed a convincing 5-1 win over Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at Bidvest Stadium on Tuesday.

Victory moves Calvin Marlin’s troops top of the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) promotion/ relegation play-offs standings with two matches remaining in the min-league.

TTM took a 1-0 lead into the half-time break, but the Urban Warriors emerged from the tunnel a different team and romped to a four-goal lead in the space of 20 thrilling second-half minutes.

The Limpopo club took an early lead through Thembisani Nevhulamba after 11 minutes. Junior Sibande’s attempted clearance fell at the feet of the TTM forward who made no mistake to net his third goal in as many matches.

TTM came close to doubling their lead in the 42nd minute as Rodrick Kabwe coughed up the ball in a dangerous position. Modibedi Mokoena had Nick Hengelman beaten but not the woodwork.

The Urban Warriors levelled matters two minutes after the interval as Siphesihle Mkhize prodded home from close range following a mad scramble in the penalty box.

Rodgers and Cohen Stander then combined for two goals in three minutes before Chumani Butsaka fired home the fourth from a Dale Wakefield cross.

Ajax Cape Town’s fifth goal came from the penalty spot following a handball in the area. Rodgers stepped up and made no mistake to complete his hat-trick as the Cape club now look forward to a crucial showdown against Black Leopards at Rand Stadium on Friday.

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (1) 1 (Nevhulamba 11′)

Ajax Cape Town (0) 5 (Mkhize 47′ Rodgers 50′ 53′ 65′ (p) Butsaka 60′)

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila: Ramaele; Mashele (Dzaga 70′), Mabotja, Nyadombo (Makgoga 57′), Thangwane, Amoojee (Makhubu 51′), Mandlazi (Moremedi 70′), Masegela (Nhlapo 57′), Khumalo, Mokoena, Nevhulamba.

Ajax Cape Town: Hengelman; Stander, Sibande, Mukumela, Johannes (Makamutsa 46′), Mkhize, Kabwe (K.Mfecane 46′), Margeman (Koopstadt 84′), Butsaka, S.Mfecane (Wakefield 37′), Rodgers (Mokate 82′).