Ajax fall to SuperSport

AUBREY Modiba scored his fifth goal of the season as SuperSport United claimed a 1-0 victory over struggling Ajax Cape Town in their Absa Premiership clash at the Mbombela Stadium yesterday.

Modiba’s header settled the contest, but Ajax showed plenty of fight in the second half and might have earned something from the game with a bit more luck.

SuperSport are now six points behind leaders Baroka FC, but still have six games in hand on the Limpopo club. Perhaps more importantly, they are three points behind Tshwane rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, having played three games less.

SuperSport hit the front on 25 minutes when Modiba glanced his header past Jody February from Richard Boateng’s inviting cross.

Lakay tried his luck from 40 yards, but February was able to palm the ball away to safety, while the keeper also reacted smartly to push away a low effort from Bradley Grobler.

Ajax were completely ineffective in the opening half.

The visitors were improved in the early stages of the second half as Bantu Mzwakali and Mosa Lebusa just failed to connect with Grant Margeman’s inviting cross, before Pieterse made a fine save from Tashreeq Morris’ header, though the latter was flagged for offside.

Morris forced a fine stop from the SuperSport goalkeeper with a thunderous drive from 25-yards as the visitors continued to press.

There was controversy minutes later when a ‘drop-ball’ took place after a stoppage to allow SuperSport to regain possession. None of the home players made a move towards it though, and George put the loose ball into the back of the net.

Whether the striker was acting within the spirit of the game is questionable, but the ball was in play and he can claim to have a genuine case for having equalised. The match officials disagreed though, and the game was restarted, with Ajax not managing another effort on goal.