Ajax drop into relegation zone

Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town dropped into the relegation zone after losing 2-0 to a well-drilled Wits side at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Cape side are now sitting in the relegation zone, on equal points but with an inferior goal difference to 14th positioned Black Leopards, who have a match in hand.

The Urban Warriors lacked bite up front and did not do too much to trouble the Wits defence for most of the evening.

The first half was a relatively evenly contested affair, with play flowing from end to end, although neither of the two goalkeepers were overly tested, with both teams struggling to provide the spark needed to create any genuine scoring opportunities.

On a perfect night for football down in the Mother City, there was however an early go at goal for Granwald Scott, but his seventh minute header was saved by Clever Boys shot stopper Emile Baron.

For their part, the Johannesburg-based side were forced to settle for shots from range, with Mzikayise Mashaba's off-target free kick one of the few times they got near the Ajax goal in a tight opening 15 minutes to the encounter.

There was also a chance for former Santos marksman Ryan Chapman just after the half hour mark as the Clever Boys started to find some impetus in attack, but his powerful drive missed at the near post.

The hosts however ended the half with a couple more chances, with Abia Nale failing to convert what was their best chance of the opening stanza, dragging his effort across goal four minutes before the break.

The Urban Warriors again looked dangerous and purposeful after the restart, but failed to capitalise as Matthew Booth headed wide from a corner and then the on-form Lebogang Manyama saw his shot superbly saved by Baron.

Ajax then found themselves on the back foot as Wits took the advantage, scoring in the 54th minute through Chapman's effort from close in, the hosts having earlier given away needless possession.

Ajax were able to enjoy more of the ball as they worked hard to get back into the match, but they could not find their way past a disciplined visiting defence.

With 10 minutes to go the outcome of the game was just about put beyond doubt when the Students got their second goal, Asive Langwe scoring from close range with a headed effort after Papy's cross.

The Cape side ended the game with only 10 men following Thulani Hlatshwayo's 85th minute dismissal for a second yellow card.