Cape Town City beat crosstown rivals Ajax Cape Town 2-0 in an Absa Premiership clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening.
An Aubrey Ngoma strike and an Erwin Isaacs own goal made the difference between the two sides on the night, as City completed the league double over their Mother City counterparts, reports the PSL website.
The first chance of the match fell to Bantu Mzwakali in the 18th minute. In what was his 100th game for the club, the speedy winger beat the offside trap before chipping the onrushing Shu-Aib Walters, but Tshepo Gumede got back well to deny the Urban Warriors the lead.
The missed chance came back to haunt the hosts as City hit the front seven minutes later.
Jody February did well to save at Lehlohonolo Majoro’s feet, but the goal-minder was helpless as Ngoma found the back of the net from the rebound. The former AmaTuks man, who famously bagged four against Ajax on the same ground a few years ago, closed with a world class finish from range.
Ajax were lucky not to go a further goal down in the 35th minute as February denied City’s free-scoring captain Lebogang Manyama, but the visitors were not be denied their second before the break.
Following another lung-busting run down the right flank by Ngoma, Isaacs could only succeed in directing the ball into the back of his own net with Manyama lurking at the back post.
City with a 2-0 lead at the interval.
The Urban Warriors looked a better side after the break and after Isaacs forced Shu-Aib Walters into a good save, Nathan Paulse was unlucky not to rattle the back of the net with 53 minutes on the clock.
The burly forward latched on to a pinpoint ball by Mzwakali, but with the keeper beaten, the woodwork came to City’s rescue.
Stanley Menzo introduced Sameehg Doutie just after the hour mark in an attempt to change things around, but the former Orlando Pirates wide man failed to make the desired impact on his return.
Despite an improved showing by Ajax in the second half, City were the better team on the night and were full value for their win.