Mugeyi, Gutu, on course to win R8 million MTN8 trophy

Mugeyi, formerly a prolific goal-getter in the South African Premiership, was on the Urban Warriors bench at Orlando Stadium, in Soweto, as Ajax held on for a 3-3 draw in the thrilling second leg of the semi-final match. The Urban Warriors had brought to Johannesburg a one-goal cushion, after a Dipsy Selolwane solitary goal condemned Chiefs to a 0-1 first leg loss at Newlands Stadium last week.

An elated Mugeyi told The Zimbabwean that the win against defending champions Amakhosi had raised morale in his youthful outfit and added that they would now work extra hard in preparation for the final against Durban-based Lamontville Golden Arrows, who beat neighbours Amazulu 4-1 on aggregate. After taking a 1-0 lead at home, we knew that an early goal in Johannesburg would unsettle Chiefs and that is what we got, said Mugeyi.

Chiefs played quite well in front of their home crowd but I am also glad that my boys also did not falter and continued following out game plan, resulting in the thriller that you saw. Ajax skipper, Bret Evans, thrust his side into the lead when he drove home a free kick from outside the 18-yeard box, but Chiefs rallied with a Jose Torrealba strike, before Josta Dladla made it 2-1 for Amakhosi. Evans equalised from the penalty spot and the two sides went to the breather tied at 2-2.

After the break, Siphiwe Tshabalala scored for Amakhosi, but a Franklin Cale stinger from about metres put the Capetonians on course for an R8 million winner-takes-all cheque. This signalled the end of a dream for four Zimbabweans Tinashe Nengomasha, Zhaimu Jambo, Knowledge Musona and Thomas Sweswe, who play for Chiefs, as Mugeyi and Gutu march on with Ajax. The final will be played on September 22, at a venue that is yet to be decided.