Downs show no mercy

Mamelodi Sundowns kept their hopes of a top-eight place on track with last night's 3-1 Absa Premiership win against stragglers Ajax Cape Town.

Downs came into the game in 11th place, having played 10, won three, drawn five and lost two in the PSL since Pitso Mosimane took over as coach from Johan Neeskens in early December.

Troubled Ajax, the runners-up of 2010-2011, remain entrenched in second-last spot having not won a game in five matches under Jan Versleijen, who replaced Dutch compatriot Jan Pruin in January.

Sundowns were well organised with a rigid shifting game in defence. The Pretoria side also created enough attacks and controlled the match.

Their strikers Eleazar Rodgers and Edward Manqele combined well and were a constant thorn to the Capetonians' back four. Both men got on the scoresheet in the first half.

The Urban Warriors did have their chances and looked nowhere near a team that could be fighting relegation. But their overall organisation was again far too sub-par for a team of such stature.

Ajax seemed not to be able to pick up Sundowns' players in defence early on, and the Brazilians took a 2-0 lead within half an hour.

The home side first threatened when, from Teko Modise's free-kick, Wayne Arendse's header hit the upright then went behind off goalkeeper Sander Westerveld.

From the resultant corner by Modise in the 17th minute, Sundowns opened the scoring. Arendse's header back across the area was turned in at the far post by Rodgers. Manqele made it 2-0 in the 27th minute with an accurate finish inside Westerveld's right upright from just outside the area.

But Ajax pulled one back in the 37th minute when Mabhuti Khenyeza swept in at the near post off Granwald Scott's low cross from the right.

The home side got the insurance goal a minute into injury time after substitute Koen van de Laak tugged at Nyasha Mushekwi in the penalty box and referee Zolile Mthetho pointed to the spot.

Hlompo Kekana scored the penalty, shooting home to Westerveld's left.

Black Leopards' woes continued last night after losing 1-0 against Moroka Swallows at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

The Beautiful Birds found the net through Katlego Mashego, taking advantage of the hosts' lethargic defending in the 84th minute.

Mashego profited from Bennett Chenene's pass.

At Milpark, Mazola Molefe reports that it's just as well that SuperSport United are on a buying spree to plan for next season - Matsatsantsa need some reinforcements after yet another goalless draw in the PSL, this time against BidVest Wits last night.

Gavin Hunt's men slumped to their 14th stalemate of the season in 23 matches, closing in on a record held by Santos who were relegated last season.

The People's Team managed to draw 16 games.

Luckily, United are nowhere near the relegation zone and are instead battling it out to secure a top-eight in the Premiership.

It looked a little promising for Wits when striker Calvin Kadi, returning from an injury, came on for Ryan Chapman late in the game.

He, at least, tried to score and attempt to get the valuable three points at home.

While United showed everyone just how poor they can be despite having won the Premiership three times in a row, there's one player that keeps growing in confidence - Ronwen Williams - the 21-year goalkeeper who has won numerous man-of-the-match awards.

He had little to do last night, but when called on to save his team's blushes he did so like a veteran, pushing out long-range efforts from defender Sboniso Gumede and captain Sibusiso Vilakazi.