SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Thursday 10.47pm
AJAX Cape Town achieved a notable Castle Premiership double over Kaizer Chiefs with a 1-0 victory at Newlands Stadium courtesy of an early goal by Carlo Scott.
It was the second time in four days that the young striker scored the winner – he struck in injury time on Sunday to give the Cape club a 2-1 triumph over African Wanderers at the same venue.
Mxolisi Mchunu crossed from the left wing with just three minutes gone, teenager Steve Pienaar sold a ‘dummy’ that left goalkeeper Brian Baloyi stranded, and Scott tapped the ball over the line.
Dutch coach Leo van Veen was thrilled not only by the result, but the manner in which it was achieved. He predicted a bright future for Ajax and a top-three championship finish next season.
The result kept Ajax in sixth place, level on points with Jomo Cosmos but behind on goal difference. However, Cosmos have played one match more and Ajsx could yet overtake them and fourth-placed Wits University.
Chiefs hyperactive coach Muhsin Ertugral made no excuses after a lively match before a fair-size crowd in cool, wet conditions at the home of Western Province rugby.
He conceded Ajax were the better team and worthy of the three points, but was critical of his strikers for being too static and not offering the midfielders more passing options.
The Amakhosi squandered two good late chances with Dennis Vukubi hesitating when through and giving Calvin Marlin time to parry his shot before Jabu Pule had an attempt cleared by Edelbert Dinha with the goalkeeper beaten.