Bucs make pressure count
IT WAS a night in memory of Ajax Cape Town rightback Cecil Lolo – and the Cape side honoured their fallen teammate with a courageous performance, despite losing 2-1 to Orlando Pirates in a PSL fixture at the Cape Town Stadium last night.
Lolo was killed in a car accident last week, and will be buried in the Eastern Cape this weekend. Throughout the build-up this week, Ajax made no secret of the fact that tonight’s game was dedicated to Lolo.
And, even though they went 2-0 down midway through the first half, after a speedy, inspired opening display by Pirates, Ajax fought back bravely, no doubt spurred on by Lolo’s memory – and they were desperately unlucky not to get something out of the match.
The Cape side was certainly superior in the second half, but they missed a number of scoring chances, and they also had to deal with Pirates goalkeeper Felipe Ovono, who was in an inspired mood, pulling off a series of good stops.
It was Ajax who created the first real scare of the night when, after a sweeping move in the fifth minute, right back Abel Mabaso – the player who has now stepped into Lolo’s position – whipped in a cross for Nathan Paulse, but the striker’s effort was deflected wide.
But, not to be outdone, Pirates hit back five minutes later with a chance of their own. Kermit Erasmus provided the through-ball for Thabo Rakhale, but the midfielder ballooned the ball over the bar.
The Buccaneers continued to be dangerous on the transition, with Menzi Masuku hitting an opportunity wide.
But the pressure eventually told when Pirates deservedly took the lead in the 18th minute. Again, it was because Ajax gave the ball away cheaply and Pirates broke swiftly on the counter. Ntsikelelo Nyauza turned in a delightful cross, and it was that man – the inform Erasmus – who powered in a header at the far post.
Four minutes later it was 2-0 after yet another intricate passing move from Pirates, with Thandani Ntshumayelo’s fantastic pass finding Lehlohonolo Majoro in the clear, and the striker made no mistake by easily tucking the ball beyond goalkeeper Jody February.
Ajax, however, are made of sterner stuff, and they quickly pulled one back thanks to the brilliance of tricky winger Riyaad Norodien. The 20-yearold skinned a couple of Pirates defenders, crossed into the fiveyard area, and Toriq Losper was at hand to tap the ball into the net.
Both teams had chances just before the half-time whistle – Ajax’s Granwald Scott had a shot saved by Ovono, while Erasmus stabbed an opening wide.
The second half kicked off in much the same vein as both teams continued to launch attack after attack.
Norodien proved a headache for Pirates and, at the other end, Erasmus made things happen.
The Capetonians should have equalised in the 62nd minute when Abbubaker Mobara burst clear with only Ovono to beat. However, the keeper from Equatorial Guinea pulled off two great saves – he parried the initial shot, and then got up quickly to save Mobara’s header on the rebound.
Norodien pulled up injured in the 70th minute and was replaced by Prince Nxumalo. With Ajax piling on the pressure in search of an equaliser, Pirates resorted to some rough stuff, with yellow cards dished out to Majoro and Thabo Matlaba for crunching tackles.
Mamelodi Sundowns had to rely on an own goal to beat Chippa United 1-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last night to go top of the log. Substitute Anthony Laffor made an immediate impact after coming on for Themba Zwane, the Liberian midfielder delivering the shot that led to the Brazilians’ winner.
Bidvest Wits hammered, harassed and humbled Platinum Stars by subjecting them to a 4-0 annihilation at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
It was a heavy and embarrassing defeat that saw Stars getting knocked off the top of the Absa Premiership.
Phakamani Mahlambi struck twice in the first half, with Sibusiso Vilakazi (48min) and Papy Faty (78min) completing the the victory for Wits.