MAMELODI Sundowns kept their hopes of a top-eight place on track with last night's 3-1 Absa Premiership win against strugglers Ajax Cape Town.
Downs came into the game in 11th place, having played 10, won three, drawn five and lost two in the PSL since Pitso Mosimane took over from Johan Neeskens as coach in early December.
Troubled Ajax, the runners-up of 2010/11, remain entrenched in second-last spot having not won a game in five matches under Jan Versleijen, who replaced Dutch compatriot Jan Pruin in January.
Sundowns were well organised, with a rigid shifting game in defence and creative enough attacks, and the Pretoria side controlled the game.
Sundowns' strikers Eleazar Rodgers and Edward Manqele combined well and were a constant thorn to the Capetonians' back four, and both also got on the scoresheet in the first half.
The Urban Warriors did have their chances and looked, in class, nowhere near a team that could be fighting relegation. But their overall organisation was again far too sub-par for a team of such stature.
Ajax seemed not to be able to pick up Sundowns' players in defence early on, and the Brazilians took a 2-0 lead within half an our.
The home side first threatened when, from Teko Modise's free kick, Wayne Arendse's header hit the upright then went behind off goalkeeper Sander Westerveld.
From the resultant corner by Modise in the 17th minute, Sundowns opened the scoring. Arendse's header back across the area was turned in at the far post by Rodgers.
Manqele made it 2-0 in the 27th with an accurate finish inside Westerveld's right upright from just outside the area.
But Ajax pulled one back against the run of play in the 37th when Mabhuti Khenyeza swept in at the near post.
Downs got an insurance goal a minute into injury time after substitute Koen van de Laak tugged at Nyasha Mushekwi in the penalty box and Hlompho Kekana scored from the spot.
lBlack Leopards' woes continued last night after losing 1-0 against Moroka Swallows at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
After the two sides failed to score in the first half, The Beautiful Birds finally found the net through Katlego Mashego, taking advantage of the hosts' lethargic defending in the 84th minute.
Mashego profited from Bennett Chenene's pass.
lAt Milpark, Mazola Molefe reports that it's just as well that SuperSport United are on an incredible buying spree to plan for next season.
Matsatsantsa need some reinforcements after yet another goalless draw against BidVest Wits.
Gavin Hunt's men slumped to their 14th stalemate of the season in 23 matches. It was, however, a little bit promising for Wits when striker Calvin Kadi, returning from an injury, came on for Ryan Chapman late in the game. He at least tried to score and attempted to get the valuable three points at home.
Downs continue climb to the top 8
MAMELODI Sundowns kept their hopes of a top-eight place on track with last night's 3-1 Absa Premiership win against strugglers Ajax Cape Town.
Downs came into the game in 11th place, having played 10, won three, drawn five and lost two in the PSL since Pitso Mosimane took over from Johan Neeskens as coach in early December.
Troubled Ajax, the runners-up of 2010/11, remain entrenched in second-last spot having not won a game in five matches under Jan Versleijen, who replaced Dutch compatriot Jan Pruin in January.
Sundowns were well organised, with a rigid shifting game in defence and creative enough attacks, and the Pretoria side controlled the game.
Sundowns' strikers Eleazar Rodgers and Edward Manqele combined well and were a constant thorn to the Capetonians' back four, and both also got on the scoresheet in the first half.
The Urban Warriors did have their chances and looked, in class, nowhere near a team that could be fighting relegation. But their overall organisation was again far too sub-par for a team of such stature.
Ajax seemed not to be able to pick up Sundowns' players in defence early on, and the Brazilians took a 2-0 lead within half an our.
The home side first threatened when, from Teko Modise's free kick, Wayne Arendse's header hit the upright then went behind off goalkeeper Sander Westerveld.
From the resultant corner by Modise in the 17th minute, Sundowns opened the scoring. Arendse's header back across the area was turned in at the far post by Rodgers.
Manqele made it 2-0 in the 27th with an accurate finish inside Westerveld's right upright from just outside the area.
But Ajax pulled one back against the run of play in the 37th when Mabhuti Khenyeza swept in at the near post.
Downs got an insurance goal a minute into injury time after substitute Koen van de Laak tugged at Nyasha Mushekwi in the penalty box and Hlompho Kekana scored from the spot.
lBlack Leopards' woes continued last night after losing 1-0 against Moroka Swallows at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
After the two sides failed to score in the first half, The Beautiful Birds finally found the net through Katlego Mashego, taking advantage of the hosts' lethargic defending in the 84th minute.
Mashego profited from Bennett Chenene's pass.
lAt Milpark, Mazola Molefe reports that it's just as well that SuperSport United are on an incredible buying spree to plan for next season.
Matsatsantsa need some reinforcements after yet another goalless draw against BidVest Wits.
Gavin Hunt's men slumped to their 14th stalemate of the season in 23 matches. It was, however, a little bit promising for Wits when striker Calvin Kadi, returning from an injury, came on for Ryan Chapman late in the game. He at least tried to score and attempted to get the valuable three points at home.
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