CAPE TOWN – Black Leopards were by far the better side in their Castle Premiership League game against Ajax Cape Town, played at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town last Friday evening, but they ended up donating the vital points to the homeside.

A solitary goal by Grant Igesund in the 70th minute was good enough to earn Ajax the significant points that they desperately needed. Ajax threatened to score in the eighth minute when Wilfred Mugeyi sent a neat pass to Grant Igesund, whose shot went a little wide.

Four minutes later, Leopards' Swaziland international, Wonder Nhleko, broke loose and ran straight to the lone keeper before releasing a shot that was too weak to beat the goalkeeper, Moneeb Josephs. Mulondo Sikhwivhilu caused an upset when he squandered an obvious chance in the 24th minute.

The Ajax defender, Shane Poggenpoel, committed a clearing mistake by passing the ball to Mulondo Sikhwivhilu, who suffered the pain of watching the ball going harmlessly past the post. Leopards had themselves to blame once again when Kelvin Mushangazhike collected a neat pass from Wonder Nhleko, but Moneeb Josephs palmed the ball away for a corner kick in the 34th minute.

Ajax were a different team in the second stanza, and they forced their opponents to play with their backs against the wall in many instances. Brett Evans nearly found the net in the 55th minute, but the Leopards' keeper, Michael Babale, was quick to make a brilliant save.

The stalemate was finaly broken in the 70th minute when the Capetonians were awarded a corner kick. Michael Babale mishandled the ball and Igesund pushed it into the net with a header. Leopards fought back strongly but their efforts bore no fruit.