Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Moroka Swallows have bagged a comfortable 3-1 win over Ajax Cape Town at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.
The visiting team took an early lead through Edward Manqele, extending the advantage to two shortly after the restart when Siyabonga Nomvethe struck.
Keegan Dolly gave the hosts brief hope with a goal 20 minutes from time, but a Lerato Chabangu free kick ensured there were no late nerves for Zeca Marques’ team.
There was a great chance after just five minutes into the game, when the creative genius of Chabangu put Luvhengo Mungomeni clean in on goal, but the Birds defender pinged his finish just high of the crossbar.
Swallows had the Cape side on the back foot for the opening stages of the game and few minutes later Nomvethe released Manqele with a clever ball over the top, but Ajax keeper Brandon Petersen made a brave block.
Ajax were only able to create a few half chances through Abubaker Mobara, Dolly and Tashreeq Morris, but they lacked any form of composure or confidence up front, with the result that Swallows' goalkeeper Greg Etafia did not have too much work to do.
Ajax started to grow stronger around the half hour mark and Lebo Manyama was inches away from a 31st minute equaliser when he fired a scorching drive inches over the bar.
The first half ended with the Cape side marginally on the front foot, although no further clear-cut chances materialised.
It took the Johannesburg side just five minutes in the second half to add a second goal, a sweeping move in which the ball was worked out to Dikgang Mabalane, who cut it back for Nomvethe to fire an unstoppable shot inside the far post.
Ajax should have pulled a goal back eight minutes later, but substitute Eleazar Rodgers was off the mark with his shot on the turn.
Mozambique winger Ernesto also smashed a drive over the bar and then fired straight at Etafia when Rodgers would have been a better option.
Finally, although the home side were able to get on the score-sheet when with 20 minutes to go, Rodgers had his low drive parried by Etafia, which gifted an easy finish for Dolly.
With 10 minutes to go, Chabangu sealed the win for the Birds when he fired a dipping free kick into the bottom corner.
