Clever boys too smart for Ajax

Bidvest Wits managed to bag their first three points as they beat Ajax Cape Town 2-1, beginning their 2015/16 Absa Premiership campaign on a high at Bidvest Wits Stadium on Saturday night.

Although the hosts netted first through their in-form playmaker in Sibusiso Vilakazi, the Urban Warriors managed to pull one back through defender Abbubaker Mobara, but it was ex- Mamelodi Sundowns winger Elias Pelembe who killed off the match.

In the opening minutes, both sides failed to create clear-cut scoring chances, but it was Gavin Hunt’s men who received a free-kick after an unfair challenge on Vilakazi by Mobara. Daine Klate crossed the ball in from the free kick resulting in the Bafana international finding the opener with a right-foot finish as early as the 11th minute.

In the 17th minute, Phumlani Ntshangase gave away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Toriq Losper and he saw his name written in the referee’s book as he was cautioned for unsporting behaviour.

It took Roger De Sa’s men 26 minutes to find an equaliser through Mobara when he finished with his left foot, beating goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs.

Both sides went to the tunnel held at 1-1 and the second half began on a high note as Hunt took off the goal scorer for Calvin Kadi and opportunities were scarce, prompting spectators to witness a defensive encounter.

The second stanza was dominated by fouls and as time was running out, both sides were seemingly comfortable in settling for a point, however, the Joburg-based side showed hunger in search of the second strike.

With no breath-taking action happening from the second half until the 76th minute, the hosts managed to grab the lead through ‘Domingues’ when substitute Phakamani Mahlambi beat three men before finding Pelembe, who tucked his effort low past Anssi Jaakkola.

In their efforts to find an equaliser, the Capetonians tried everything but it was in vain when Franklin Cale's effort hit the woodwork as Hunt’s men grabbed the full three points.

Bidvest Wits (1) 2 (Vilakazi 11’, Pelembe 75’)

Ajax Cape Town (1) 1 (Mobara 26’)

Bidvest Wits: Josephs, Allie, Hlatshwayo. Klate (Faty 74’), Vilakazi (Kadi 64’), Pelembe, Botes (Mahlambi 64’), Nhlapho, Shongwe, Bhasera, Ntshangase

Ajax: Jaakkola, Lolo, Coetzee, Mobara, Jenniker, Ncube (Ncube 66’), Losper, Mdabuka, Gamildien (Norodien 54’), Nxumalo, Mzwakali