AND ANOTHER VIEW ...

Anthony McLennan Best match Bloemfontein Celtic 2 Ajax Cape Town 3. Not many teams come away with anything when they play Celtic in the Free State. But the Urban Warriors recovered from a sluggish display which saw them 2-0 down at half time, goals from Granwald Scott, Bantu Mzwakali and Franklin Cale sealing a spirited comefrom-behind victory. Worst match Well for Ajax anyway ... Maritzburg United 1 Ajax 0. This was a classic case of ‘snatch and grab’ from Steve Komphela’s team, who somehow kept the Cape outfit from scoring and then sneaked a late winner in a game which the Urban Warriors had dominated throughout in what was probably their best away performance of the campaign. Best goal Menzi Masuku’s effort for Orlando Pirates against SuperSport United. After a lengthy meander down the wing, the midfielder seemed to be drifting rather aimlessly inside before suddenly unwinding his diminutive frame to smash a 35-yard shot past a bewildered Ronwen Williams. Biggest blunder Goalkeeper Greg Etafia’s two errors in Moroka Swallows penultimate game of the season, against Ajax at Athlone. Poor goalkeeping from two corner kicks in the final 20 minutes resulted in goals from Riyaad Norodien and Thabiso Nkoana and turned a potential three points into none as Swallows ended the season second-from-bottom. Funniest moment When former Ajax defender, Clayton Daniels, now at SuperSport, took out Moroka Swallows coach Craig Rosslee on the sidelines after Rosslee had tried to prevent a quick throw in. Rosslee’s trainers had no traction on the wet turf as his legs went out from underneath of him, the indignant coach then waving his broken watch strap at the match officials. Best coach Roger De Sa guided Ajax from being relegation strugglers to top five finishers, and took the club to within a few inches of their first cup glory in seven years. And having made no signings (apart from a couple of loan additions), De Sa was able to do this with what was largely a bunch of kids. Best goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola. The big Finn stood firm behind a young Ajax rearguard, his assured presence providing stability and calm at the back. A strong argument could be made that he was every bit as good as Bidvest Wits keeper Moeneeb Josephs, who won the PSL Goalkeeper of the Season award. Best defender Chiefs’ Tefu Mashamaite. You can’t really leave out a man that has just won three major accolades at the PSL awards ceremony. Cool and composed, he played in every match for the league’s best defensive team. Best midfielder Cole Alexander. The former Ajax man flourished under the freedom given to him by coach Kosta Papic, and was the creative and driving force in the Polokwane City side throughout the season. Best striker Jeremy Brockie. The New Zealander showed excellent technique and composure in front of goal. He only arrived in South Africa at the beginning of this year, but ended 10 goals in 17 matches in both league and cup. Down in the NFD, Roggert Nyundu also deserves praise for scoring 18 goals in 17 games for Black Leopards.