Ajax Cape Town put some distance between themselves and their recent MTN8 Cup final embarrassment with a 2-0 Absa Premiership win
over Moroka Swallows at Newlands Stadium on Wednesday night.
The visiting team appeared content to sit back and absorb the pressure before trying to hit Ajax on the break.
The Urban Warriors certainly had far more than their fair share of possession, but failed to use it to good effect, with very little imagination or flair in their play.
Although Sameegh Doutie worked hard down the right flank, and delivered some excellent balls into the box, he was unsuccessful in picking out any teammates.
Birds keeper Greg Etafia did not have to make any saves from shots on goal in the first half, although he did well on occasion to intercept Doutie’s crosses and several Franklyn Cale free kicks.
The home side’s best moment of the first half came in the 33rd minute when Cale’s free kick came within inches of both Deniss Ivanovs and Sifiso Vilakazi, who were only a few metres out from goal but unable to get a touch on the ball.
The Urban Warriors had been crying out for a moment of brilliance and it finally came in the 58th minute when Lance Davids’ intelligent through ball set Doutie free inside the box.
Doutie’s skill proved too much for Ramahlwe Mphahlele and a penalty was conceded, allowing Dipsy Selowane to hand Ajax the lead.
Selowane should have added a second from open play 15 minutes later, but was guilty of sending a wayward header over the bar.
At the other end of the field Swallows ensured Ajax had a couple of nervy moments as Shaun Haschick came close to capitalising on an error from Hans Vonk and then Davi Rancan crashed a shot over.
The final goal came just moments before the full time whistle when Swallows defender Gordon Gilbert succeeded in steering Cale’s cross into his own net.
In other Premiership matches played on Wednesday night, Platinum Stars beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0; Kaizer Chiefs edged out Golden Arrows 2-0; AmaZulu beat Pirates 2-1; Celtic and Cosmos fought to a thrilling 3-3 draw while Wits were held 1-1 by Free State Stars. — Sapa