Benoni - Ajax Cape Town scored twice in the last eight minutes to claim a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Jomo Cosmos at the Sinaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
The victory for the Urban Warriors broke a three-game losing streak, while Ezenkosi remain rooted to the bottom of the table and will be disappointed at having given away all three points in a game that they looked to be in control of until late on.
Cosmos started with real intent and took the lead after just 11 minutes, with Katleho Loke scoring direct from a free kick 25 yards from goal. Siyabonga Nhlapo had won the set piece for his side, drawing a foul from Thato Mokeke.
Ajax looked for a quick reply, as Khama Billiat tried his hand from long range in the 17th minute – the Zimbabwean caught the shot cleanly, but goalkeeper Avril Phali was able to make a comfortable save.
Cosmos continued to look the more dangerous team in attack in what remained of the first half, though for the most part they were restricted to long range efforts from the likes of Nhlapo and winger Matthew Rusike that failed to trouble Ajax ‘keeper Sander Westerveld.
In the second half Cosmos continued to look like a team in control, though they persisted in trying to beat Westerveld from long range rather than look to patiently build up and try pick a way through Ajax’s defence.
The Cape side made a double change just before the hour mark by introducing Tafadzwa Rusike and George Maluleka – coach Maarten Stekelenburg clearly wanted more creativity and incisiveness in the final third of the field.
Ajax had to wait until the 82nd minute to finally create a clear scoring chance and Billiat duly took advantage, driving home a low shot from 18 yards out to make it 1-1.
Four minutes later it got even better for the visitors, as Billiat turned provider for substitute striker Alcardo van Graan to score from close range and make it 2-1, completing a remarkable and dramatic turnaround for the Urban Warriors.
The victory for the Urban Warriors broke a three-game losing streak, while Ezenkosi remain rooted to the bottom of the table and will be disappointed at having given away all three points in a game that they looked to be in control of until late on.
Cosmos started with real intent and took the lead after just 11 minutes, with Katleho Loke scoring direct from a free kick 25 yards from goal. Siyabonga Nhlapo had won the set piece for his side, drawing a foul from Thato Mokeke.
Ajax looked for a quick reply, as Khama Billiat tried his hand from long range in the 17th minute – the Zimbabwean caught the shot cleanly, but goalkeeper Avril Phali was able to make a comfortable save.
Cosmos continued to look the more dangerous team in attack in what remained of the first half, though for the most part they were restricted to long range efforts from the likes of Nhlapo and winger Matthew Rusike that failed to trouble Ajax ‘keeper Sander Westerveld.
In the second half Cosmos continued to look like a team in control, though they persisted in trying to beat Westerveld from long range rather than look to patiently build up and try pick a way through Ajax’s defence.
The Cape side made a double change just before the hour mark by introducing Tafadzwa Rusike and George Maluleka – coach Maarten Stekelenburg clearly wanted more creativity and incisiveness in the final third of the field.
Ajax had to wait until the 82nd minute to finally create a clear scoring chance and Billiat duly took advantage, driving home a low shot from 18 yards out to make it 1-1.
Four minutes later it got even better for the visitors, as Billiat turned provider for substitute striker Alcardo van Graan to score from close range and make it 2-1, completing a remarkable and dramatic turnaround for the Urban Warriors.