Ajax Cape Town suffered a 2-1 defeat away to AmaZulu in an Absa Premiership clash at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Tuesday evening.

Following a rather cagey start to the game, Yannick Zakri went close to finding the back of the net just short of the half-hour mark, but Siyabonga Mbatha was on hand to keep out the Ivorian from close range.

The game continued to ebb and flow with Mabhuti Khenyeza sending his header attempt over the crossbar just short of the break with all those in attendance hoping for more following the break.

Both sets of players rose to the occasion in the second stanza with AmaZulu hitting the front in the 50th minute through Mhlengi Cele. The striker with a low drive past Jody February following a powerful run.

The Urban Warriors, though, hit straight back with a wonder strike from Rodrick Kabwe who's left-footed free-kick whistled into the top corner of the net on the hour mark.

Ajax Cape Town looked sure to take the lead soon after as Grant Margeman beat goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha, but Phumlani Gumede came to his goalkeeper's rescue.

Muhsin Ertugral's troops were riding a wave of confidence as Tashreeq Morris then squandered a golden chance for the visitors, who were then made to rue their missed opportunities.

Siyanda Zwane unlucky to guide the ball into the back of his own net on a rainy evening in the KwaZulu Natal province.

The sucker punch took the life out of Ajax Cape Town who were unlucky to see Kabwe's free-kick in the 80th minute rattle off the woodwork and away from danger as they ultimately slumped to another away defeat.

AmaZulu (0) 2 (Cele 50' Zwane 75' [OG])

Ajax Cape Town (0) 1 (Kabwe 60')

AmaZulu will look for a return to winning form in the Absa Premiership when they host Ajax Cape Town at King Zwelithini Stadium on 3 April 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

AmaZulu have gone four league matches without a victory after they held Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 in Soweto on March 17. The Durban has taken just two points from a possible 12 in the sequence.

Usuthu have claimed 17 points from 12 home matches this season, though their last game as hosts ended in a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns in early March.

Ajax suffered a 1-0 loss away to Bloemfontein Celtic on March 4, their 12th defeat of the league season. The Cape side has picked up two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five league outings.

The Urban Warriors have the worst away record in the league this season, with just three points (and no wins) from 12 matches on the road. Their last two away games have both ended in 1-0 defeats.

In head-to-head stats, Ajax and AmaZulu have met in 25 league matches since 1999/2000. The Urban Warriors have claimed 11 wins compared to seven for Usuthu, while seven matches have been drawn. The Durban side has won five of their 12 home league matches against their Cape counterparts, suffering five defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, in Cape Town in November 2017, they played to a 2-2 draw. Former Ajax striker Mabhuti Khenyeza scored a last-gasp equaliser for AmaZulu, who are unbeaten in their last six league games against the Cape side.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Chiefs on March 17: Murambadoro, Sikhakhane, Mabiliso (Lumnkwana 76’), P. Gumede (Nyongo 86’), M. Gumede, Ouro Akoriko, Ncube, Mnguni, Cele, Karuru, Khenyeza (Ncobeni 69’).

Ajax’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Celtic on March 4: Petersen, Zwane, Pietersen (Gaxa 46’), Booysen, Lebusa, Malepe, Nel, Kabwe, Zakri (Ndoro 62’), Lakay, Losper (Margeman 54’).