Orlando Pirates suffered their first defeat of 2018, losing 3-0 against relegation threatened Ajax Cape Town at the Cape Town stadium on Wednesday. In the process, the Buccaneers dropped from 3rd to 4th place on the ABSA Premiership log.
Supersport United were sucked into the relegation quagmire after yet another loss at home this time to AmaZulu following their 4-1 loss to Bidvest Wits at the weekend.
Pirates looked unprepared for what was waiting for them in Cape Town against a Muhsin Ertugral-led Ajax
It is not a secret that the Buccaneers are good in controlling ball possession and spreading passes. However, possession alone counts for nothing if you do not find the back of the net.
The Urban Warriors took a two-goal lead into halftime. In the second half, Pirates were enjoying a much higher percentage of ball possession. At some stage, the statistics read 80% to the black and white ensemble.
Again, it counted for nothing as Ajax made it 3-NIL against the run of play, taking maximum points in the process. Despite the win, the Urban Warriors remain 15th on the log, but only a single point separates them from Supersport United, Bidvest Wits and Polokwane City.
“We knew we would have these punches, it’s not about having the ball, it’s about being organised and how do you close the zones and you will have those punches, we were waiting for that. We were even lucky as well, but I must say the boys did excellent, exceptional game today,” says Ertugral.
“One statistic that count in football is the result, all other issues, our domination, attempts at goal are not counting. So we need to find a formula where don’t allow to concede from set-pieces and how to unlock the defensive block in front of us. Happy that players tried their best but we shall come up much stronger from this,” says Orlando Pirates coach, Milutin Sredojevic.
In the capital city, Supersport United played host to Amazulu. Eric Tinkler’s team was keen to bounce back after suffering a 4-1 loss at the same venue against Bidvest Wits on Saturday.
Amatsatsantsa suffered their eighth loss of the season and dropped to 14th place on the log while Usuthu climbed up to 11th place from 14th.
