Ajax still winless after loss to Wits

Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town conceded in the 88th minute as they went down 2-1 to Bidvest Wits in an Absa Premiership match at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night.

It was a largely uneventful opening 20 minutes, but the match sprang into life in the 25th minute when Eric Chipeta found the top corner of the net for Ajax with a spectacular 24-yard free-kick, 1-0.

The Urban Warriors came close to finding their second goal two minutes later when a great run from Prince Nxumalo saw him fight his way into the box before flashing a shot inches wide from 16-yards out.

Wits almost drew level in the 37th minute, but a fantastic save from goalkeeper Jody February saw him deny Daine Klate a headed goal from 12-yards out.

Wits continued to press for an equaliser, but struggled to break down a well-organised Ajax defence as the half ended 1-0 in favour of the Urban Warriors.

Ajax absorbed a lot of pressure at the start of the second half with the Clever Boys throwing numbers forward in attack, but the Urban Warriors defence stood firm.

In the 65th minute only a fantastic acrobatic stop from Wits keeper Darren Keet kept Prince Nxumalo from finding Ajax’s second goal when he was denied from 16-yards out.

Four minutes later Wits did manage to pull level, somewhat fortuitously through Eleazar Rodgers.

Initially, a right-wing cross from Elias Pelembe was met by Ben Motshwari, but his close-range header was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Jody February - and Rodgers was there to head home the rebound, 1-1.

Wits continued to push forward after that and managed to find the winner in the 88th minute courtesy of a powerful 18-yard volley from Mogakolodi Ngele which found the bottom corner of the net, 2-1.

The result sees Ajax still without a win in the league while Wits moved up to second spot only three points behind the Absa Premiership leaders with two games in hand.

Ajax Cape Town (1) 1 (Chipeta 25’)
Bidvest Wits (0) 2 (Rodgers 69’, Ngele 88’)

Teams:

Ajax Cape Town:

February, Mabaso, Coetzee, Chipeta, Lebusa, Graham, Morris, Mdabuka, Nxumalo (Lupeta 85’), Mayambela (Mzawkali 79’), Isaacs.

Wits:

Keet, Hlanti, Hlatshwayo, Mkhwanazi, Allie, Myeni (Pelembe 56’), Motshwari, Mlambo, Klate (Ngele 67’), Rodgers (Malajila 80’), Mhango.