The local derby between Ajax Cape Town and Santos on Wednesday dished up excellent soccer in front of one of the biggest crowds seen at a derby in Cape Town.
Ajax — playing on their home field, Newlands — ran out the winners by the only goal, scored in the 29th minute by Nhlanhla Tshabalala. There were several injuries and the first-aid people were kept busy, resulting in eight minutes of stoppage time in the second half.
The game started at a great pace, and no quarter was asked or given by either side. In the seventh minute, Ajax’s Grant Igesund moved smartly down the right and centred to Bradley August, who, from 5m out, scraped the upright.
Three minutes later, Mulekelayi Kanku’s powerful shot from the edge of the box was blocked by a Santos defender.
In the 11th minute, Edries Burton’s free kick was headed goalwards past Musa Otieno, but Moeneeb Josephs just tipped the ball over the bar.
In the 28th minute, Joseph Ngaka put over a cross from the left and August’s header was once again tipped over the bar.
Ajax opened the score in the 29th minute, when a poor clearance saw the ball go to Ngaka, who sent in a low cross that was converted by Tshabalala.
Santos should have equalised in the 49th minute when a corner kick was headed on by Otieno to Burton, who — from 7m out — kicked the ball high over the bar.
In the 61st minute, Carlo Scott saw that Warren Budde, who had just come on for Santos, was unmarked. He passed to him but his shot hit the side rigging. — Sapa