Orlando Pirates increased their lead in the Premier Soccer League by three points when they beat Ajax Cape Town 1-0 at Newlands on Tuesday. Pirates can thank their goalkeeper Francis Chansa for maximum points, as he brought off several excellent saves.
The Ajax youngsters played above themselves and were in no way disgraced by their performance against a more experienced team.
Both teams attacked from the start, and in the fourth minute, Moeneeb Josephs had to dive full-length to save a shot from Steve Lekoelea. This resulted in two corners in succession. On the second cross, Benedict Vilakazi rose high to head home, much to the joy of the huge crowd of Pirates supporters.
In the seventh minute.after a centre pass from the right, Terror Santini kicked an overhead ball that went just over the bar. Five minutes later, a cross from the left found Granwald Scott all alone, and with plenty of time, he headed wide.
Pirates were always dangerous on the attack, but the Ajax defence was ready.
In the 18th minute, a free kick taken by Brent Carelse from 20m out hit the crossbar, much to the relief of the visitors, and Chanca brought off a point-blank save with his legs from a shot by Carelse.
Pirates were the more dangerous team, but they were in too much of a hurry and many of their passes went astray.
In the third minute after the break, the home side had a chance to equalise but Santini’s powerful shot from 10m out was blocked as the four Bucs defenders formed a solid wall.
In the 61st minute, Chansa once again denied a shot from Santini.
Ajax had more of the play in the second half, but the Buccaneers were solid in defence.
In the dying moments, Gift Loremi moved smartly down the left and passed the ball to Mutaba, who returned the ball to Loremi, but with an open goal, he shot wide, much to the annoyance of the Pirates supporters. — Sapa