Urban Warriors edge Siwelele in Athlone

The Cape side were on top for most of the opening half and were deserved leaders at the break. Celtic were an invigorated team after the interval, but just couldn't do enough to rescue a point.

The home team made a brisk start to proceedings and had the first chance of the game in the eighth minute when Roscoe Pietersen fired narrowly over the bar, before Mosa Lebusa headed wide with the goal at his mercy on 20 minutes.

Celtic had a chance when Ndumiso Mabena went through on goal, but he fired wide, Ajax taking the lead soon after when Bantu Mzwakali slotted in from close range after Pietersen's pin-point delivery. 

The Free State team showed more urgency after the restart and it took a superb save 10 minutes into the second half from Ajax 'keeper Brandon Petersen to deny Roggert Nyundu.

But Phunya Sele Sele’s hopes of a comeback were nipped in the bud when Ajax extended their advantage on the hour mark when after some good interplay between Pietersen and Thabo Mosadi, the ball fell for Tashreeq Morris to slot home from inside the box. 

But the visitors were soon given renewed hope when Urban Warriors defender Isaac Nhlapo put the ball in his own net.

Mabena could have levelled the match six minutes later, but again Petersen came up with a good save.

Substitute Sedwyn George was agonisingly close to adding a third goal for the hosts 10 minutes from time, but it proved of little consequence as Ajax held on for only their second league win this season.