The “Team of Choice” put on a convincing display as they ran out 2-1 winners over Ajax Cape Town at the Woodburn Stadium on Sunday afternoon, thanks to a brace from Musa Nyatama.

First half action saw the teams fairly evenly matched as the Urban Warriors enjoyed some good chances early on while the Team of Choice grew stronger as the game went on.

Gangly Ajax striker Nathan Paulse made life difficult for the home defence early on and in the ninth minute United keeper Shu-aib Walters had to be at his best to tip Paulse’s header over the bar.

From the corner, Paulse thought he had netted the opening goal of the game when he rose high to head the ball into the back of the net, but the goal did not stand as Cale was ruled to have fouled Walters.

Rudolf Bester looked sharp for the home side and in the 13 th minute he was at the forefront of blistering counter-attack but unfortunately could not finish off the move with the desired goal as his shot from outside the box sizzled past the post.

The game was turned on its head 10 minutes into the second half when Maritzburg scored twice in quick succession, both strikes coming from former Thanda midfielder Nyatama.

The first came in the 55 th minute and saw Nyatama capitalising on Ajax’s failure to clear their lines as he pounced on a loose ball to fire home a screamer from 25-yards out.

A minute later the Urban Warriors defence was again badly exposed as Nyatama powered his way through several challenges before coolly slotting past Ajax keeper Hans Vonk.

Walters ensured Maritzburg’s two goal cushion remained in tact on the hour mark when he palmed away a stinging Cale effort.

But while it was United who continued to push forward in search of a third goal, the Cape Town team managed to pull one back in the 81 st minute when Lance Davids converted from the spot after Paulse was ruled to have been fouled by Peter Petersen and Mario Booysen.

Any hopes of a late comeback from Ajax did not however materialise as Ernst Middendorp’s team held out fairly comfortably for the three points which their play on the day certainly merited.

LINE-UPS

Maritzburg :(4-5-1) Walters; Hendricks (Petersen 46’), Dikilu, Booysen, Ngwepe; Lentjies, Madondo, Nyatama, Obada (Chivuta 89’), Bester; Davids(Aka 67’)

Ajax:(4-4-2) Vonk; Allie, Decamps (Vilakazi 72’), Ivanovs, Daniels; Doutie (Shabalala 46’), Davids, Maluleka, Cale; Paulse, Serero (Sibisi 81’)