Absa Premiership
Result: Chippa United 0-1 Ajax Cape Town
Date: 06 May 2017
Venue: Sisa Dukashe Stadium
Chippa United stretched their winless run to 12 matches in the Absa Premiership after suffering a 1-0 loss to Ajax Cape Town at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
Ajax carved out the first opening of the encounter after seven minutes as Prince Nxumalo latched onto a through ball before firing a volley at goal, which Daniel Akpeyi palmed away.
The Urban Warriors were in control for most of the opening 15 minutes of the half, although they only had one clear-cut chance to show for their dominance.
Chippa were by no means out of the contest and they should have broken the deadlock after 17 minutes but Lerato Manzini scuffed his effort from close range.
The game opened up on 30 minutes and Akpeyi came to Chippa's rescue as the Nigerian shot-stopper rushed off his line to deny Thabo Mosadi from close range.
The Chilli Boys grew stronger in the closing stages of the opening half and had a lot of joy down the left flank but their final ball was not up to par.
Chippa started the second half with the intent to score and they were nearly rewarded in the 55th minute when Manzini's low effort was palmed away by Brandon Petersen.
It was an end-to-end affair in the second half although both sides really struggled to carve out chance in the 18-yard area.
Chippa signalled their intent to push for an opening goal, as they introduced Sizwe Mdlinzo and Zaphaniah Mbokoma in the 72nd minute.
However, it was Ajax who broke the deadlock in the 79th minute as Mosadi snatched the ball ahead of Akpeyi before firing home from a tight angle.
The home side applied all the pressure in the final stages of the second half and were camped in the Ajax half in search of an equaliser.
However, the Urban Warriors managed to hold out till the final whistle to claim a vital win, while Chippa fail to move clear of the drop zone.
Here's how they lined up:
Chippa: 41. Akpeyi, 7. Mako, 35. Bergman, 17. Mvelase, 24. Thopola, 15. Zuke, 5. Wambi, 10. Mbenyane (Mdlinzo 71') , 25. L.Manzini, 8. D. Zulu, 12. Sekome (Mbokoma 72').
Ajax: 1. Petersen, 20. Isaacs, 27. Pietersen, 3. Coetzee, 32. Sasman, 6. Graham, 23. Mosadi, 13. Margeman, 15. Nxumalo, 8. Mdabuka, 22. Mayambela (Mzwakali 85').
