Ajax win is bad news for Bucks

CAPE TOWN -- Ajax Cape Town beat Jomo Cosmos 1-0 in a PSL soccer match at Newlands last night, and it was certainly not the news Bush Bucks wanted to hear.

The win places Ajax five points clear of Bush Bucks, who are lanquishing a spot above bottom-placed African Wanderers.

Last night's win means Bucks must win their remaining matches against Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs and hope Ajax do not pick up a point from their final match.

It all looks rather bleak for Bucks at this point.

Ajax kept Cosmos under constant attack. Moeneeb Joseph, the Ajax goalkeeper, only had to defend his goal for the first time in the 40th minute.

Cosmos keeper Thano Mkhonza brought off several excellent saves and certainly kept the score down.

In the third minute Dillon Sheppard centred and Mkhonza did well to save Bradley August's header.

In the ninth minute Robert Nauseb's 20m drive was just wide of the upright but a minute later Ajax opened the score when Josep Ngake's 25m low drive deflected off Cosmos captain Hilton Jordan to go into the net.

In the 21st minute August's piledriver from 15m was brilliantly saved by Mkhonza who could not hold the ball. Although it rolled freely away from the goal, no attacker was there to follow-up.

* In their match Orlando Pirates moved closer to winning the championship title when they beat Wan-derers 2-1 in a drama-filled clash in Rustenburg last night. That was also the half-time score.

The Buccaneers were reduced to 10 men in the 23rd minute when referee Ace Ncobo sent off Pirates captain and key defender Mbulelo Mabizela for head-butting Wanderers striker James Mothibi.

It was Mothibi who sprung a major surprise when he headed Wanderers into the lead after 11 minutes. Pirates drew level when Hleza Mofedi headed home Mabizela's well aimed free-kick in the 18th minute.

After Mabizela was sent for an early shower, Pirates started to show more urgency and took the lead in the 38th minute with a well taken goal scored by striker Jimmy Kauleza. -- Sapa