Ajax into Absa Cup semis

2004-04-17 20:53

Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town moved into the semi-finals of the Absa Cup knockout competition when they beat Wits University at Newlands 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after the teams were locked at 1-1 after extra-time.

However, the game should have been done and dusted in regulation time when Ajax's Brent Carelse missed a penalty in the 90th minute that would have given his side a 2-1 win. The spot kick was awarded when Wits' Anton Greyling handled in the box.

Earlier, Wits opened the scoring in the first minute when Paul Johnstone's free kick from the right was headed home by Benson Mhlongo.

Wits immediately went into defence mode and at times had only a lone striker in the Ajax half, but they still managed to be dangerous on the break away.

In one such instance they could have doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when Etienne Bito'o broke through, but instead of laying off to an unmarked player, he elected to go solo, but was relieved of the ball by a defender.

Ajax levelled matters in the referee's first half optional time when a Brett Evans free kick found the head of Mulekelayi Kanku.

The second half was all the home side but time and time again they were thwarted by the brilliant play of Wits goalkeeper Wayne Roberts.

Extra-time saw both sides coming close to settling matters, firstly when a close range strike from Bito'o was well saved by Ajax keeper Moeneeb Josephs and then Ajax's Grant Igesund had his shot headed off the line by Leonard Qaba.

It turned out to be a night to forget for Wits Reagan Noble when he was the only one to miss in the penalty shoot-out.

- SAPA