Amakhosi may just have enough to edge Ajax

Let's look at some interesting facts Makhosi Amahle going into the MTN8 semifinal second leg tonight against Ajax Cape Town:

* Ajax Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs are locked at 0-0 heading into the second leg of their MTN8 semifinal on Saturday night. Ajax has home advantage this time around but can they make it count?

* The first leg of this encounter was something of a let down in terms of entertainment but we should have a decent size attendance, a cracking atmosphere and hopefully a much better game at the Cape Town Stadium this time around.

* Perhaps due to Ajax failure to score an away goal, the Amakhosi remain slight favourites to reach the final but there isn't much in it and the stats suggest Chiefs have plenty to do.

* Chiefs were beaten 1-0 here in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) last season, a result which ultimately proved critical in the title race. Trips to the Mother City proved expensive for us last term as in addition to the aforementioned defeat, they were held to draws by Santos (2-2) and Vasco (0-0).

* This will be only the second away match of the new season for Chiefs but in our favour is our performance against Moroka Swallows in a 2-0 PSL win which in my opinion is by far their best display of the season so far.

* We have beaten Wits 2-1 in both the MTN8 and most recently in the PSL and also came out on top against Jomo Cosmos by the same score line making the Amakhosi the only side with a 100% record after three rounds of matches in the new PSL season.

* Ajax will be boosted by a PSL Cape Town derby win over Santos in midweek, their first league victory of the season. Although they were held to a draw by Maritzburg United in the final game of last season and the second round of the current campaign, their overall form in the Cape is quite exceptional.

* On the down side for the Urban Warriors, they have lost the service of Clayton Daniels (sold to Mamelodi Sundowns) since the first leg took place.

The loss of Daniels is a huge blow to Ajax and they are big boots to fill in the heart of the back-line. After a goalless first leg, Chiefs can at least take heart from having scored twice in each of their league matches with Lehlohonolo Majoro really catching the eye for me. The Amakhosi may just have enough to edge this although I will take a conservative route.

Rise Khosi Rise and let's Rally behind the Team and don our Gold and Black Jerseys!!

By Mandla Botsotso Thomo