Ajax and SuperSport secure important points
AJAX Cape Town ground out a much needed 1-0 win over outgoing champions Bidvest Wits last night to breathe life into their hopes of staying up in the Absa Premiership with Yannick Zakri grabbing the game’s only goal.
Another PSL bottom half of the log club, Supersport United, secured an important point after playing to a goalless draw against second-placed Orlando Pirates.
At Athlone Stadium, while the 26th-minute strike from the Ivorian import did not change Ajax’s position, second from bottom in the standings, they are now only one point from safety.
A long ball out of the midfield from Fagrie Lakay put Zakri free of the Wits defence and he made no mistake one-on-one with Darren Keet.
But it was no easy win for the home side who invited trouble by sitting back in the last 15 minutes and allowing Wits to come at them.
Gavin Hunt’s side remain outside of the top eight but could have been level just before the break as Daylon Claasen’s guile set up Lehlohonolo Majoro, and though it was a tight angle that the striker had to work with, he still managed to get a shot off that struck the woodwork.
Majoro had another half chance with the last kick of the half but scuffed the ball and allowed Jody February an easy save.
Lakay looked the most dangerous player on the pitch and in the 51st minute showed a good first touch and clever cross that set Tercious Malepe up for a shot, which he blasted just wide.
A double change for Wits six minutes later saw them change their style from a pacey running game to a more direct approach as James Keane joined Majoro upfront.
Ajax will now seek to move out of the bottom two places away at Chippa United in Port Elizabeth on Sunday before hosting Baroka, meeting Mamelodi Sundowns and finishing at home to Kaizer Chiefs.
●Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates’ title aspirations suffered a huge blow when they were held to a goalless draw by SuperSport United last night.
It was not a desirable result for both teams as second-placed Buccaneers have lost ground on leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by three points having played one more match while United remain third from the bottom of the log.
Clearly the better side on the night in terms of possession and chances created, Pirates will look back at the misfortune of having been denied by the woodwork twice in quick succession in the first half from the efforts of Mpho Makola and Luvuyo Memela.
Having dropped two crucial points, Pirates, who came into this match on the back of five successive wins, will hope that Bidvest Wits beat Sundowns on Saturday at Loftus and they must beat AmaZulu to refresh their title ambitions.
After the AmaZulu match this weekend, Pirates will be left with clashes against Wits, Cape Town City, Free State Stars while United, who remain in the danger zone, have Cape Town City, Free State Stars, Chippa United and Baroka FC until the end of the season.