Zakri's brace down Pirates

Ajax Cape Town beat Orlando Pirates 3-0 in an Absa Premiership clash at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Yannick Zakri bagged a brace for the hosts following Mosa Lebusa's opener as the Cape club registered a rare victory over their counterparts - to duly ease their relegation woes.

Mushin Ertugral's troops remain in the drop zone despite the result. The Buccaneers sit in fourth spot, five points off Mamelodi Sundowns who continue to lead the way.

The Urban Warriors got off to the perfect start as Lebusa headed the hosts in front with 12 minutes on the clock. The Ajax Cape Town skipper first to Yagan Sasman's corner-kick as the ball crashed off the woodwork and into the back of the net.

Pirates first shot in anger fell to Thembinkosi Lorch seven minutes later, with the forward unlucky to see his effort canon into the side-netting.

Zakri doubled the hosts lead in the 32nd minute of the match following a blistering counter-attack. Grant Margeman ignited the move for the Urban Warriors before Tendai Ndoro teed up the Ivorian international who squeezed his shot past Jackson Mabokgwane.

Ajax Cape Town were dealt a blow as both Brandon Petersen and Lebusa were forced off the field. Jody February duly made his way into goal, with Isaac Nhlapo introduced after the break.

The Buccaneers started the second half like a house on fire and should've pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute, but Innocent Maela directed his shot over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Pirates continued to throw everything but the kitchen sink forward in attack, but the Urban Warriors stood firm.

February pulled off a world class save to deny Luvoyo Memela in the 82nd minute, who was lively throughout, as Pirates grew increasingly frustrated in front of goal.

Zakri put the game to bed a minute later as he finished off a lung-busting run by Siyanda Zwane to send the Urban Warriors faithful into delirium.

Next up for Ajax Cape Town is a clash against  Polokwane City on Sunday. The Sea Robbers play host to Maritzburg United this Saturday evening.

Ajax Cape Town (2) 3 (Lebusa 12' Zakri 32' 83')

Orlando Pirates (0) 0

Teams:

Ajax Cape Town: Petersen (February 43'); Zwane, Booysen, Pietersen, Lebusa, (Nhlapo 46'), Sasman - Malepe, Margeman, Zakri, Morris (Mdabuka 30'), Ndoro.

Orlando Pirates: Mabokgwane; Maela (Foster 71'), Nyauza, Dube (Gabuza 79') - Memela, Munetsi, Nyatama, Makola (Jele 36') - Kutumela, Lorch - Shonga.

© Backpage TXT