Ajax beat Polokwane

Ajax Cape Town moved to the top of the Absa Premiership standings with a hard-fought 2-1 PSL Premiership victory over Polokwane City.

|||

Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town moved to the top of the Absa Premiership standings with a hard-fought 2-1 PSL Premiership victory over Polokwane City at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night.

The Urban Warriors leapfrogged defending champions Kaizer Chiefs on the log following two quick first-half goals by striker Nathan Paulse and defender Abbubaker Mobara.

The win will also give Ajax a bit of momentum heading into their MTN8 final meeting with Chiefs next Saturday at Port Elizabeth's Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Jabu Maluleke solitary first-half goal was not enough to salvage something out of the game for the adventurous visitors from Limpopo.

Paulse opened the scoring in the sixth minute after a really impressive start by Ajax. A minute later Mobara doubled their lead with a smart header following a top cross by midfielder Bantu Mzwakali.

But, while Polokwane did offer chances on the break because of their high-risk approach, they were dangerous going forward. And it took them all of eight minutes to pull a goal back when Maluleke scored in the 15th minute.

Paulse came close to increasing Ajax's lead shortly before halftime, but he couldn't sneak the ball into the back of the net.

After the break, Mzwakali shot wide in the 52nd minute for the home team, as Ajax went in search of another goal to give them a bigger cushion, especially as Polokwane were applying lots of pressure in the second half.

Paulse, who had a cracking game, had another good chance in the 70th minute, but he headed his chance straight at Polokwane goalkeeper Pule Konopi.

Polokwane had a great chance to get a point for their efforts later on, but Ajax managed to clear a chaotic goalmouth scramble with five minutes to go. - African News Agency (ANA)