Ajax Cape Town (1) 2
(Billiat 31st Daniels 54th)
AmaZulu (1) 1
(Ayanda Dlamini 2nd)
Character is very important for a football club chasing a league title. And Ajax Cape Town had it in abundance here on Friday night.
In a tough and, at times, scrappy contest, Ajax managed to come away unscathed with a 2-1 win over a highly competitive AmaZulu.
Ajax conceded an early goal and then had to battle back to achieve the much-needed three points. It’s this fight and character that will stand them in good stead as they continue their title charge in the final few weeks of the season.
Ajax’s victory last night takes them top of the PSL log and places huge pressure on the other title challengers – Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns – to stay in touch.
Pirates play SuperSport United in Soweto tonight, while Chiefs and Sundowns do battle at Loftus on Saturday.
At Athlone, though, AmaZulu caused something of a shock as early as the second minute when Ajax goalkeeper Hans Vonk could only parry a shot from Goodman Dlamini, and Ayanda Dlamini reacted quickest to steer the loose ball into the net.
The surprise setback had Ajax on the back foot initially, but they gradually got their game together. The passing rhythm returned, possession was retained, and they nearly drew level in the 12th minute when Thembinkosi Fanteni wriggled his way through the AmaZulu defence. His close range effort, though, was well saved by goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela.
With Ajax starting to dominate play, AmaZulu packed their defence and were content to try and defend the lead. It proved to be a mistake as Ajax equalised with a superb goal. The move began in the Ajax half and swept the entire field. And it was Thulani Serero who again proved the catalyst for prising open the stubborn opposition defence.
Serero streaked through, played an intelligent one-two with Fanteni, and then crossed for Khama Billiat to head home in the penalty area. It was a goal that perfectly illustrated the high class football that Ajax have played all season.
With Ajax chasing the victory, they made their intentions known at the start of the second half by bringing on Brett Evans for Lizo Mjempu at left-back and injecting some pace down the flanks by replacing George Maluleka with Sameehg Doutie.
But it was again AmaZulu who made the brighter start to the half, with Bongani Mbele’s forceful run and shot bringing out the best in Vonk.
It was, however, just a temporary lapse as Ajax hit back seven minutes later when Clayton Daniels gave the Capetonians the lead by whipping a Brent Carelse corner-kick into the corner of the net.
Daniels returned from the Netherlands earlier this week, where he, along with Serero, was on trial with Ajax Amsterdam. The stay obviously infused him with confidence and he took his goal well.
Granwald Scott then picked up a bad knee injury and was forced to come off. With Ajax having already made three changes, they had to play the last five minutes with 10 men, and AmaZulu took full advantage.
The Durbanites poured forward and were unlucky not to score as Vonk managed to touch Bukasa Kasonga’s long range shot against the cross bar.
It was nailbiting stuff for Ajax supporters in the final moments, but the Cape side hung on desperately, and registered the win they needed. - Weekend Argus