Nigerian forward, George Akpabio, debuted on Wednesday as Ajax Cape Town fought back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Platinum Stars 3-2 with all three goals scored in the last five minutes plus extra time.
Stars raced to a 2-0 lead with goals from Sibusiso Msomi (21st min) and Thuso Phala (67th min), however a late comeback from the home denied Stars a rare win at the Cape Town Stadium.
Ajax started the game with purpose and took control of the game using their possession to build their attacks. The Urban Warriors carved out the first scoring chance of the game when Khama Billiat’s cross found Carelse, but he not convert the chance.
Stars struck against the run of play when Msomi stole the ball away from Maluleka, who waited for his keeper to come and collect, with Westerveld in no-mans-land, Msomi chipped the ball into the Ajax net give his team the lead.
Minutes later an unmarked Vilakazi took too much time to direct his shot, giving the Stars defense time to avert the danger.
Ajax suffered a major set-back in the 38th minute when Paul Rusike was shown a straight red card for what appeared to be dissent. George Akpabio replaced Carelse in the second half and he immediately set about attacking the Stars defence in tandem with Billiat and Maluleka.
Maluleka spurned his best chance in the 56th minute when he latched onto a ball in the Stars penalty area only to fire his shot over the bar with just the keeper to beat.
Stars almost doubled their lead in the 57th minute when a floating cross into the Ajax penalty area found Paulse unmarked on the penalty spot but his header came off Allie and the rebound flew just wide of the post.
On the other end of the pitch Lolo’s cross found Vilakazi on the far post but his down-ward header was collected by the Stars keeper, Mpontshane.
Stars took full advantage of their superior numbers when an unmarked Thuso Phala scored their second goal from close range.
Stekelenburg, the Ajax coach made a double substitution that changed the complexion on the game when he brought on Alexander for Scott and Manyama for Maluleka.
The substitutes made an immediate impact on the game when a through ball from Alexander set Billiat clear; Nyauza fouled the Ajax striker to concede a penalty. The Stars defender received his second booking of the game and was duly sent off.
Manyama scored from the spot to launch the Ajax fightback.
The Urban Warriors had the ball in the back of the Stars net minutes later when the visitors failed to clear the danger and the ball fell to Matthew Booth who placed his shot past the Stars keeper to equalize.
With the clock winding down Stars launched a last ditch attack and almost scored but Nazeer Allie was alert and cleared the ball off the goal line to keep his team in the game.
Khama Billiat attacked the Stars defense and played the ball to Akpabio but Mpontshane saved the shot at goal.
Ajax Cape Town completed the come back when Cecil Lolo raced forward to score a late winner at the near post to send the Ajax players and fans into wild celebrations at the final whistle.
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