Orlando Pirates beat Ajax, Wits drop more points

04 February 2016 - 02:53 By Mark Gleeson

Orlando Pirates beat Ajax Cape Town 2-1 at Orlando Stadium last night - just their second win in their last seven league matches. But it was a narrow win for Pirates, who let Ajax back into the game after looking set when they went 2-0 ahead after half time.Ajax fought back in the final 20 minutes, with Prince Nxumalo scoring and thumping a header against the crossbar in the last two minutes.A howling goalkeeping error from Anssi Jaakkola handed Pirates their opening goal after 20 minutes as he tried to trap a back pass from Rivaldo Coetzee but watched in horror as the ball trickled under his foot into the net.Pirates got a deserved second when Thamsanqa Gabuza set up Sifiso Myeni to score from close range a minute after the restart.Pirates were on top when a long ball into the defence was not dealt with by Edwin Gyimah and Nxumalo struck the first goal for Ajax.Bidvest Wits could not capitalise on a glut of possession and chances, especially in the first half, having to settle for a 1-1 Absa Premiership draw against Platinum Stars at Bidvest Stadium last night, reports Marc Strydom.After Stars striker Eleazar Rodgers opened the scoring with a freak goal in the eighth minute, and James Keene equalised with a pearl for Wits in the 15th, it was the Students who had the balance of play, but Gavin Hunt's team could not find a winner.Jethren Barr, making his PSL debut in place of the injured Moeneeb Josephs, got off to an unfortunate start. The 20-year-old goalkeeper, who had played one game as a substitute in 2014, attempted to clear a back pass and only found the back of Rodgers, who had gone up for the block, and the ball ricocheted into Wits's net.But Wits equalised in spectacular fashion soon afterwards.Keene received the ball from Phumlani Ntshangase, turned and shaped a left-footed beauty into the top-left corner.Keene almost made it two, his volley off Bongani Khumalo's chip being deflected for a corner.Siyabonga Nhlapo's cross-cum-shot and Daine Klate's free kick were both tipped over by Stars keeper Mbongeni Mzimela.Sibusiso Vilakazi made what seemed a far too late appearance, in the 84 minute, for Keene.In other games, Polokwane City beat Maritzburg United 3-1 in Polokwane, sending them further into the relegation zone. Bloemfontein Celtic and Supersport United played to a 1-1 draw at Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein...

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