SUNDOWNS EDGE AJAX TO MOVE FOUR POINTS CLEAR
Mamelodi Sundowns scored two goals in two minutes to move four points clear atop the Absa Premiership standings, following a 2-1 win over Ajax Cape Town at Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Fagie Lakay opened the scoring for the hosts, but goals from Ricardo Nascimento and Sibusiso Vilakazi before the break sealed all three points for the visitors.
Following a rather cagey start in the Mother City where the Brazilians dominated possession without any real threat, the Urban Warriors hit the front against the run of play.
As they did on Friday evening, Muhsin Ertugral’s troops were first to find the back of the net as Lakay held of his marker before firing past Denis Onyango in the 26th minute for his maiden Ajax Cape Town goal.
The early setback kicked the Brazilians into gear and following a few warning shots Pitso Mosimane’s men restored parity.
Nascimento making no mistake from the spot following a handball in the area, 1-1 with with 37 minutes on the clock.
Brandon Petersen did superbly well to keep out Oupa Manyisa and Percy Tau in quick succession leading up to Sundowns first, but he could do nothing as the burly defender found the bottom right corner.
The Brazilians duly edged in front two minutes later as Vilakazi latched onto Tau’s cross to send the travelling supporters in delirium. Sundowns successfully coming from behind to hold a 2-1 lead at the interval.
Sundowns used up an early lifeline soon after the break as Lakay fired over from close range three minutes into the second stanza.
The Urban Warriors looked a better team and pushed men forward in attack, but this opened space for the visitors on the counter.
Tau was a constant threat and having weaved his way past Mario Booysen the forward looked sure to score, but he could only send his attempt wide of goal in the 55th minute.
At the other end of the pitch, Lakay was proving a real handful and having lost his marker once more, the lively attacker could only succeed in dragging his shot off target.
Sundowns’ experience paid dividends in the end as they successfully navigated through the final exchanges of the clash, to move four points clear of Cape Town City. The Urban Warriors remain in 15th spot on the log standings and in serious danger.
Ajax Cape Town (1) 1 (Lakay 26′)
Mamelodi Sundowns (2) 2 (Nascimento 37′ Vilakazi 39′)
Ajax Cape Town: Petersen; Lebusa, Booysen, Nhlapo, Kammies – Malepe, Kabwe (Takwara 46′), Losper (Phohlongo 61′) – Julies, Morris, Lakay (Thabotha 74′).
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango; Langerman, Nascimento, Madisha, Morena (S.Zwane 83′) – Manyisa, Mabunda, Kekana, T.Zwane – Vilakazi (Makgalwa 74′), Tau (Arendse 90+2′).
