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Ajax go top, send Wits packing

Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town have temporarily moved to the top of the Premiership table after beating Wits 3-1 at Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night.

It was a deserved win for Roger De Sa's men, who showed positive intentions to attack from the first whistle, and also showed character to push on for the win after Wits briefly levelled the game 10 minutes from time.

The Clever Boys had an early chance when Sibusiso Vilakazi saw his shot hitting the side-netting, but apart from that, it was the Urban Warriors who looked more dangerous during the first half.

With 12 minutes gone, Keagan Dolly tried his luck from range after Wits keeper Jackson Mabokgwane found himself off his line, but his shot went wide of goal.

More chances followed for the hosts as Tashreeq Morris saw his effort cleared off the line by Students defender Onismor Bhasera, while Dolly did well to create space out on the right, but after cutting in towards the box, he saw his parting shot flying over the goal.

Thabiso Nkoana was making regular inroads down the left flank, but should have done better on half an hour when he tried to shoot for goal from a tight angle when Nathan Paulse was far better placed at the far post.

The remainder of the half saw the match evenly balanced, with Wits having a chance through Vilakazi, but he was denied by the assured Ajax keeper, Anssi Jaakkola.

Ajax started the second half where they left off in the first, and had a great chance three minutes after the restart, but Morris sent his volley over the bar from less than 10-yards out.

Ajax keeper Jaakkola then ensured that the score remained level when he pulled off a reflex save to keep out Cornelis Kwakman's close range header in the 57th minute.

The chances continued to come at both ends as Morris went just wide from some way out, before Musa Lebusa had his header well saved by Mabokgwane.

The breakthrough finally came on 77 minutes when Paulse beat Mabokgwane to a free-kick, the Ajax marksman nodding the ball into an empty net.

But the Students were to level matters less than four minutes later when substitute Sthembiso Ngcobo was given too much time in the box, the former Kaizer Chiefs striker doing well to hook a volley past Jaakkola.

But the Urban Warriors refused to let the setback get to them and they were back in front in the 84th minute when Paulse netted from the penalty spot after former Ajax defender Thulani Hlatshwayo handled the ball in his own box.

Wits looked to try and hit back again, but left themselves vulnerable on the counter-attack, which allowed Dolly to stroll through on goal before picking his spot into the bottom corner to seal the win in the 90th minute.

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