Ajax earn hardfought win

Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town had to give everything they had to earn a 2-1 win over SuperSport United at a hot Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Urban Warriors were pushed all the way by the league champs, who never gave up and always looked good for an equalising goal as Ajax had to hang on late in the game.

SuperSport nearly caught Ajax off-guard in the opening seconds, but Letladi Madubanya just could not get to Tebogo Langerman's cross in time.

As the game progressed, Foppe de Haan's charges began to play increasingly more entertaining and attacking football.

After Sameehg Doutie came close to scoring directly from a corner, chances followed for Khama Billiat, but he squandered two opportunities in quick succession.

At the other end, SuperSport's best bet was via the aerial route, but Morgan Gould could not find the target.

The hosts went ahead two minutes before the break, when Billiat twisted and turned and then passed to an unmarked Lebo Manyama, who showed good composure to pick out the top corner.

United were, however, back in the game 10 minutes after the break as they started the second half on the offensive.

Mogogi Gabonamong was the goal-scorer, netting from 10-yards after the Ajax off-side trap backfired.

Terror Fanteni put Ajax straight back in front, showing his predatory instincts to head home Doutie's cross a minute later (2-1 after 56 minutes).

Matsatsantsa put Ajax under pressure for the last 25 minutes, mounting attacks on a regular basis.

But some of their finishing - from Fikre Tefera and Jabu Maluleke in particular - was wasteful, while Hans Vonk made a great save to deny Tefera on a separate occasion, as the Urban Warriors bravely held on for the three points.