No joy for Stars in Cape Town

The hosts took a two goal cushion into the break after goals from Cecil Lolo and Tashreeq Morris, and while Stars gave an improved second half showing, all they had to show for their efforts was an own goal from Rivaldo Coetzee 10 minutes from time which was not enough to take anything from the match.

After a strong start to the game at a misty Cape Town Stadium that saw the home side making the most of the play, the Urban Warriors took a deserved lead on 15 minutes when Lolo fired in a swerving left-footed shot which left Stars keeper Kabelo Dambe grasping at the ball as it flew past him.

Stars were battling to make any openings in the Ajax defence, with home keeper Anssi Jaakkola not having to make any serious saves.

At the other end of the field, the Cape side were always looking good for another goal and it arrived after 27 minutes when Franklin Cale picked out Morris with a free kick, Morris slotting home from close range with a first time shot.

The remainder of the first half passed without much incident as Ajax shored up their defence and midfield to make sure that their lead stayed intact.

After the restart, the two sides found themselves evenly balanced, with both teams struggling to find any kind of fluency or rhythm in their games.

Dikwena’s Letladi Madubanya brought out a fine reflex save from Ajax keeper Anssi Jaakkola in the 68th minute, with the visiting side finally getting on the score-sheet in the 79th minute when Urban Warriors defender Rivaldo Coetzee deflected a cross into the back of his own net.

Any thoughts of a late Stars comeback however came to nothing as the Cape side held on for the win that takes them into second spot on the standings.

Scorers:
Ajax Cape Town (2) (Lolo 16’, Morris 28’)
Platinum Stars (0) 1 (Coetzee 79’ og)

Teams:
Ajax Cape Town: Jaakkola, Lolo, Allie, Coetzee, Lebusa, Cale (Nkoana 90’), Scott, Graham, Dolly (Davids 83’), Morris, Paulse (Mzwakali 71’)

Platinum Stars: Dambe, Mere, Semenya, Gumede, Mpeta, Mathe, Madubanya, Ng’ambi, Tshabalala (Manzini 80’), Mabena, Rodgers