George Maluleka (m) of Ajax Cape Town celebrating his goal with teammates
Ajax Cape Town narrowly defeated Golden Arrows 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday evening.
A lone strike from George Maluleka secured full points for Maarten Stekelenburg’s side in what was an entertaining clash between two teams who were prepared to play the passing game.
The opening goal came in the eighth minute when Arrows lost the ball in their half and got punished by a quick break from Ajax, with Nhlanhla Vilakazi and Brent Carelse combining to release George Maluleka, who picked his spot at the far post to beat Helton Da Rocha.
Maluleka came close to completing his brace three minutes later when he almost got to the end of a brilliant low cross from Khama Billiat, but Arrows goalkeeper Da Rocha reacted quickly to collect the ball at his feet.
Da Rocha, who was the busier goalkeeper in the first half pulled off the save of the match in the 25th minute to palm away a curled effort from Granwald Scott, who had spotted the goalkeeper off his line.
The Brazilian injured his shoulder during the process and had to make way for debutant Nkosingiphile Gumede a few minutes later, who was also called to make a save in the 46th minute to block a low shot from Maluleka.
Ajax goalkeeper Sander Westerveld finally had work to do in the second minute of added time when he stood strong to punch away a well-struck shot from Philani Shange.
Gumede almost gifted Ajax their second goal of the match in the second half when he failed to control a harmless backpass but the young goalkeeper recovered to clear the ball off the line.
Gabuza thought he had equalised for Arrows five minutes later when he bundled in a cross from Philani Shange but the goal was chalked off as the striker had strayed slightly offside.
Substitute Katlego Mashego also came close in the 72nd minute when he made a great turn into the box and tried to nudge the ball past the advancing Westerveld, but the experienced goalkeeper was able to block the shot with his legs.
Three minutes later it was Gumede who made a brilliant save at the other end to deny a Khama Billiat header after a pinpoint cross from Tafadzwa Rusike.
Musa Bilankulu also saw his effort cleared off the line in the 85th minute, but the tall defender seemed to have handled the ball anyway.
Arrows will feel unlucky to get nothing from the game after the effort they put in during the second half, but Ajax Cape Town on the other hand could’ve sealed the match in the first half.
Golden Arrows 0
Ajax Cape Town (1) 1 (Maluleka 8’ )