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Ajax show Cosmos no mercy

Cape Town - Relegation candidates Jomo Cosmos suffered another set back when they down 1-0 to Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday night.

It was one way traffic early on as the home team's incisive passing game kept Cosmos very much on the back foot.

In as early as the third minute Dipsy Selolwane looked set to fire the hosts ahead when he latched onto a loose ball just inside the box, but his stinging drive was kept out by the legs of Cosmos keeper Avril Phali.

More chances followed for Ajax as Thulani Serero failed to get enough contact on a close range effort, while Lance Davids tested Phali from some distance.

After Cosmos had finally mustered a chance through Bamuzo Sono's 17th minute chip, the home side came close to scoring when Nathan Paulse got on the end of a Sameehg Doutie cross, but Phali make a brave save.

In the 33rd minute the Cape side looked to have won a legitimate penalty when Tshepo Moloto cut down Paulse in the box, but referee Daniel Bennett elected not to point to the spot.

The home side who had dominated the first half carried on from where they left off, with Davids forced his way past several defenders before firing goal-wards, but Phali again got a crucial touch to keep the ball out the net.

Inventive or enterprising play up front was non existent as far as Ezenkosi were concerned and their best bet for a goal appeared to be from a set piece, where Thapelo Tshilo forced Hank into a diving save in the 66th minute.

Ajax had some chance of their own from set play, but neither Doutie nor George Maluleke could find a way past Phali.

Finally, the goal Ajax deserved arrived, in the 82nd minute, when Selowane's shot from a tight angle on the right flew past a helpless Phali and in to the bottom corner of the net.

The goal awoke Cosmos from their slumber and they came at the Urban warriors for the final stages of the game, during which time Siza Dlamini twice came within inches of grabbing an equaliser.

But it was a case of two little too late from an Ezenkosi side, which lacked the urgency their current position in the league table calls for.

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