Jomo Cosmos suffered their first defeat of the season when they were beaten 2-1 by Ajax Cape Town in a Castle Premiership soccer league match at Newlands on Sunday afternoon. All the goals were scored in the first half.
Ajax now remain the only team in the league with full points.
The game was hard and robust and six players were booked by referee Daniel Bennett — four Cosmos and two Ajax.
Cosmos started with a bang and in the second minute Samo Cunha centred, but lucky for Ajax Tsholola Tshinyama headed off the line.
Ajax took the lead in the fifth minute when Mulekelayi Kanku took a free kick on the left and Cyrille Kitambala rose high above the Cosmos defenders to head home.
This was the first goal Cosmos have conceded this year.
Five minutes later Innocent Ntusume was unlucky when his shot from the left just went past the far upright and three minutes later Dikgang Mabalane’s powerful shot was tipped over the bar by Moeneeb Josephs.
Ajax doubled the score in the 15th minute when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Alfred Phiri just tapped the ball to Bradley August, whose low shot went in next to the near upright.
Ajax nearly went a further goal ahead in the 36th minute when Tico Bucucane beat Josephs with a soft shot but Serge Dikilu cleared the ball off the line.
Ajax relaxed and they were caught out in the 44th minute when a poor clearance saw the ball go to Ntsume, who easily reduced the deficit.
In the 46th minute Anele Zibi centred and Dikilu header from five metres out was saved by Avril Phadi.
Both teams gave their all in the second half but neither was able to score. There were several near misses and both goalkeepers brought off several excellent saves. — Sapa