YANNICK ZAKRI BRINGS RELIEF FOR AJAX OVER WITS
Yannick Zakri handed Ajax Cape Town a 1-0 Absa Premiership win over Bidvest Wits on Wednesday night at Athlone Stadium.
The victory brought relief to the Mother City as they now have 27 points at the 15th spot from 26 league matches.
Both camps started the game on a high note, but the hosts showed danger when Zakri weaved his way past a few defenders, yet he could not hit the target when his shot went over the crossbar in the seventh minute.
The were no clear-cut chances after the 15th minute, but Isaac Nhlapo came close to scoring when he failed to convert from close range in 21st.
Ajax continued to push and Zakri would break the deadlock in the 26th minute when Fagrie Lakay played the ball in behind the Wits defence, allowing the Ivorian to slip it past Darren Keet.
Right at the half-hour mark, the reigning league champions pushed for an equaliser and it was Thabang Monare who saw his miscued effort not troubling Jody February.
Lehlohonolo Majoro gave February something to worry about on the stroke of halftime, but the net minder was equal to the task.
It was 1-0 at halftime to the Urban Warriors.
The Clever Boys came back from the tunnel chasing an equaliser, but at the other end Keet produced a fine save to deny Lakay’s effort from a tight angle in the 63rd minute.
Two minutes later, former Ajax skipper Granwald Scott came close to finding the back of the net, but fired inches over February’s crossbar.
Gavin Hunt’s troops continued to take the game to Muhsin Ertugral’s Warriors towards the final 10 minutes, but they could not penetrate Ajax, who defended very deep.
However, with six minutes remaining, Lakay blasted his effort over the crossbar in front of an empty net after a delightful pass from the goalscorer.
The defeat leaves the Clever Boys placed at number 10 on the log standings with 32 points and they are left with five matches to wrap up their league campaign.
Ajax Cape Town (1) 1 (Zakri 26’)
Bidvest Wits 0
Ajax Cape Town: February, Zwane (Kammies 46’), Booysen, Lebusa, Nhlapo, Kabwe, Nel, Malepe, Zakri (Morris 85’), Losper (Takwara 78’), Lakay
Bidvest Wits: Keet, Allie, Scott, Monare, Pule (Keene 53’), Hlanti (Ritchie 84’), Claasen, Mkhwanazi, Gyimah, Mosiatlhaga, Majoro
