Swallows peg Urban Warriors back
AJAX Cape Town’s chances of winning automatic promotion to the PSL were left in jeopardy after they suffered a 1-0 loss to rivals Swallows at Rand Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday.
It was a clash of the titans between two teams that are scrambling for automatic promotion from the GladAfrica Championship.
The Urban Warriors started yesterday’s encounter with a six-point lead at the summit of the standings, but after 90 minutes that lead had been reduced to just three. The Birds are now on 48 points after 27 games, needing just one more slip up from the leaders, who have 51 points after the same number of games.
Most worrying for Ajax would be the fact that the defeat was their second on the trot. Last week they lost to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila by a single goal.
Earlier this season the Capetonians were cruising towards the top flight, but things have now changed as the log leaders are losing momentum at a critical stage of the season.
It was Swallows that made their intent clear from the word go yesterday as they looked more determined and invigorated.
Zaphaniah Mbokoma hit the post in the 33rd minute after going one on one with goalkeeper Nick Hengelman.
Siphesihle Ndlovu did put Swallows ahead in the 42nd minute following veteran forward Lebo Mokoena’s telling pass into the box. Ndlovu was at the right place and at the right time to head his side into the lead.
The Dube Birds continued to pile on the pressure as Ajax lacked fluidity in attack. Abednego Mosiatlaga and Thabo Mosadi were not at their best for the log leaders. Ndlovu and former Sundowns wingback Vuyo Mere also deserve credit for shutting down the duo.
Swallows hit the post twice more in the second half as Ajax tried to force their way out of trouble.
Ajax have to pick themselves up and hit the ground running in their last three encounters against Pretoria University, JDR Stars and Mbombela United otherwise they will have to try their pursuit of top-flight football via the promotion-relegation playoffs.