By Vicent Kakooza,

Full Time: Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 Ajax Cape Town Date:

23 September 2015 Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium

Anthony Laffor ‘s late strike saved Denis Onyango’s evening as he helped Mamelodi Sundowns to earn a 3-2 win over Ajax Cape Town at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in th Absa Premier League.

The Uganda first choice goal keeper failed to keep a clean sheet as he conceded in the 36 minute through a Bantu Mzwakali volley from 12 yards out and a penalty kick converted by Nathan Paulse. However the Urban Warriors were dealt an unfortunate blow before the game when striker, Prince Nxumalo, suffered an epileptic fit just before the clash got underway.

Abbubaker Mobara came to Ajax’s rescue in the 12th minute as the defender popped up with superb defensively play to clear Keagan Dolly’s effort off the line. However, Sundowns broke the deadlock after 20 minutes when Teko Modise grabbed his second of the season by curling home a wonderful free-kick from 20-yards out.

The Urban Warriors nearly levelled matters in the 28th minute but Tariq Losper’s deflected effort from the edge of the area sailed inches wide of the upright. The visitors eventually drew themselves level in the 36th minute Bantu Mzwakali volleyed home from 12-yards out, after getting on the end of Nathan Paulse’s flick.

However, Sundowns’ lead was restored just before the halftime break when Ajax Cecil Lolo headed into his own net under no pressure. Ajax were then presented with a chance to level matters shortly after the break when Franklin Cale was brought down in the box, and it was Nathan Paulse who stepped up to convert.

Pitso Mosimane’s men came close to restoring their lead after 50 minutes but Rama Mphahlele’s low effort forced Anssi Jakkola into a fine save. The host went even closer in the 66th minute when Wayne Arendse’s close range volley rattles the upright. Mosimane looked to change things up in the final 20 minutes, as he introduced new signing, Leonardo Castro, with the hope bagging a winner.

Modis was presented with a chance to restore Sundowns’ lead in the 85th minute but the midfielder blazed his first-time effort over the crossbar from inside the box. However, Sundowns secured the win in stoppage time when Laffor rifled home a sublime strike into the top corner from 12-yards out. Here’s how they lined up:

Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Arendse, Langerman, Nthethe, Mphahlele, Dolly, Modise, Zwane, Kekana, Malajila, Mashego Ajax Cape Town: Jaakkola, Lolo, Mobara, Mabaso, Lebusa, Mdabuka, Mzwakali, Scott, Losper, Cale, Nxumalo.

Additional reporting by Soccer laduma.