Reigning PSL champs suffer defeat at Athlone Stadium

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Apr 11, 2018. 21:43

Bidvest Wits failed to take the full three points when they lost 1-0 to Ajax Cape Town in the Absa Premiership at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night.

In the wake of this loss, the Braamfontein-based side sits 10th on the log table with 32 points and will meet log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.

For Muhsin Ertugral’s men, the solitary goal came through Yannick Zakri and will travel to Chippa United in high spirits this weekend.

Both camps started the game on a high note, but the hosts showed danger when Zakri weaved his way past a few defenders, yet he could not hit the target when his shot went over the crossbar in the seventh minute.

The were no clear-cut chances after the 15th minute, but Isaac Nhlapo came close to scoring when he failed to convert from close range in 21st.

Ajax continued to push and Zakri would break the deadlock in the 26th minute when Fagrie Lakay played the ball in behind the Wits defence, allowing the Ivorian to slip it past Darren Keet.

Right at the half-hour mark, the reigning league champions pushed for an equaliser and it was Thabang Monare who saw his miscued effort not troubling Jody February.

Lehlohonolo Majoro gave February something to worry about on the stroke of half time, but the net minder was equal to the task.

It was 1-0 at half time to the Urban Warriors.

The Clever Boys came back from the tunnel chasing an equaliser, but at the other end Keet produced a fine save to deny Lakay’s effort from a tight angle in the 63rd minute.

Two minutes later, former Ajax skipper Granwald Scott came close to finding the back of the net, but fired inches over February’s crossbar.

Gavin Hunt’s troops continued to take the game to Muhsin Ertugral’s Warriors towards the final 10 minutes, but they could not penetrate Ajax, who defended very deep.

However, with six minutes remaining, Lakay blasted his effort over the crossbar in front of an empty net after a delightful pass from the goalscorer.

Resulting from this win for the hosts, Ajax remain at number 15 with 27 points and have four matches to finish their campaign.

Ajax Cape Town (1) 1 (Zakri 26’)
Bidvest Wits 0

Ajax Cape Town: February, Zwane (Kammies 46’), Booysen, Lebusa, Nhlapo, Kabwe, Nel, Malepe, Zakri (Morris 85’), Losper (Takwara 78’), Lakay

Bidvest Wits: Keet, Allie, Scott, Monare, Pule (Keene 53’), Hlanti (Ritchie 84’), Claasen, Mkhwanazi, Gyimah, Mosiatlhaga, Majoro