Ajax closing in on Pirates for PSL title victory

Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town were not at their best against Mpumalanga Black Aces at the Athlone Stadium on Sunday afternoon, but came away with a 2-1 win.
Aces had some promising moments in the opening stages of the game, at times playing some good football, with David Mathebula influential.

With 18 minutes gone Mathebula showed some sublime skill to create space before threading through a delightful ball to Myrone Shongwe, but the former AmaZulu striker lacked the nous to steer the ball past Hans Vonk.

As the first stanza reached its half way stage the Urban Warriors began to find gaps in the Aces defence.

This was capitalised upon in the 28th minute when Khama Billiat played an excellent ball through to Seydouba Soumah, who showed good composure to beat Denis Onyango.

Soumah had the ball in the net only a minute later with a good finish, but was ruled off-sides, although it appeared a very tight call.

Ajax celebrate

Ajax continued to find gaps in the visitor’s defence at will, but the likes of Lebo Manyama and Thulani Serero could not take advantage.

Serero was however unlucky when he came close to scoring just before the break, his effort hitting the bar from eight yards out.

AmaZayoni were almost back in the game four minutes after the break, but Gordon Gilbert had the misfortune of seeing his header hit the crossbar, while soon after Shongwe missed a chance with a wayward diving header.

Vonk then needed to be at his best to keep out a stinging 35-yard free kick from Joseph Henyekane as the Witbank side kept on coming at the home defence.

Billiat did have a chance on the break, but he was denied by a brave save from Onyango.

However, Aces’ resistance was finally sunk when Serero burst onto a through ball from the right wing by Manyama, and scored with a well-taken strike from a tight angle in the 72nd minute.

Serero had a great chance just two minutes later to make it 3-0, but Onyango made an excellent save from the one-on-one confrontation.

AmaZayoni finally got some reward for their efforts when Shongwe sent in a teasing ball to the back post where Gilbert powered home an 89th minute header.

But it was too little too late as the league’s bottom side were force to leave Cape Town without any points, while the hosts moved up to second position on the log.