Three points for Ajax, but there’s work to do

AJAX Cape Town were far from convincing in their 2-1 win over Black Aces at the Cape Town Stadium last night.

In the end it was three points in the bag, and a second consecutive win in the league on only the second occasion this season, but the Urban Warriors were far from fluent in their attacks, often running out of ideas around the final third, and had to rely on a penalty from Nathan Paulse and an own goal to see them over the line.

Ajax were on the back-foot from kick off, the Cape side finding themselves up against a lively Aces side, who were able to get their combinations going from the start.

The visiting side could well have been 1-0 up within the opening 10 minutes, but Thanduyise Khuboni blazed over the bar from right in front of goal before Aubrey Ngoma and Miguel Timm both dragged shots wide, while Collins Mbesuma’s attempted chip was gathered in by Anssi Jaakkola.

Ajax had to wait until the 15th minute for their first opportunity on goal, but having got on the end of a loose ball outside the Aces box, Toriq Losper slashed his drive wide of goal. It was the Mpumalanga side who took the lead, with Zamuxolo Ngalo nodding the ball into goal from close range after Jaakkola had only been able to parry Collins Mbesuma’s back-post header.

Ajax were close to getting back in the contest before the break, but a Tashreeq Morris volley flew straight at Aces keeper Jackson Mabokgwane.

Looking for some more punch in attack, Roger De Sa brought on Franklin Cale for Losper, with Cale’s first contribution a spectacular scissors kick at the back post which flew just wide of goal.

With Ajax failing to find any penetration, it was perhaps no surprise that their equaliser arrived via the penalty spot, Paulse making no mistake 20 minutes from time after Bantu Mzwakali had been fouled on the edge of the Aces box.

The goal brought the hosts to life, and 10 minutes later they got the winner when Aces defender Jomo Gumede turned the ball into his own net after Mzwakali had flashed a ball across the goal.

The goal seemed to knock the wind out of Aces’ sails, allowing the Cape outfit to play out the game without too many issues.

The result leaves Ajax in fifth spot on the standings, with 34 points from 23 games, and six points adrift of fourth-placed Bidvest Wits.

De Sa and his men will now have to start planning for their next game, a Nedbank Cup clash with Bloemfontein Celtic at the Cape Town Stadium next Friday, and on the basis of last night’s showing, there is still plenty of work to do before Cape fans see the Urban Warriors firing on all cylinders as they are capable of doing.