Kaizer Chiefs retained their top position on the PSL log when Santos beat Ajax 1-0 in their local derby in Cape Town on Wednesday night.
The win puts Santos level with Ajax, two points behind Chiefs.
The goal came in the 24th minute from Tyrone Arendse.
Playing with a gale-force south-easter at their backs, Santos went on to the attack early and in the second minute Duran Francis put over a cross and Arendse’s shot was blocked by Moneeb Josephs. The ball defelcted back to Arendse who headed just past the far-upright.
Shortly after, Josephs needed treatment for four minutes after the ball hit him in the guts.
Ajax adjusted to the strong wind and in the 11th minute Bradley August took a free kick from 35m out, but his powerful shot flew wide.
Santos opened the score in the 24th minute when Marawan Bantam put over a long ball from the left to the far right over the heads of the defenders to Arendse who cut in and his shot easily beat Josephs.
Dylan Shepherd was brought on in the 30th minute for Ashley Opperman, which added life to the Ajax attack.
In the 33rd minute Shepherd crossed to Anele Zibi, who centred to Wilfred Mugeyi, who fluffed a good chance to level the scores.
Ajax had the ball in the net in the 61st minute when Mougeyi’s header went home, but the assistant ref ruled him off-side.
A double-sub was made by Santos in the 33rd minute when Jean Marc-Ithier and Sebsations Bax were brought on, but Ithier was injured 12 minutes later.
Ajax controlled the second half but could not penetrate a solid Santos defence in which Edries Burton and Musa Ongao were outstanding as well as goalkeeper Brandon Wardle, who was voted man of the match.
Ajax were guilty of some poor shooting. In the 80th minute Bantam lobbed the ball, which just went over the bar with Josephs well out his goal. Two minutes earlier Josephs ran to the halfway line to get to the ball just before David Notoane. — Sapa