The victory moves Ajax four points clear of Baroka FC in the relegation play-off position and ends a run of eight matches without a victory, though there was certainly plenty of nervousness to their play as they rode their luck at times.

Highlands remain rooted to the foot of the table, but had their chances to get at least a point from the game in what was a disappointing night for former Urban Warriors coach Gordon Igesund.

Desperate current Ajax tactician Stanley Menzo made three changes to his starting line-up, bringing in fit-again Rivaldo Coetzee, attacking midfielder Bantu Mzwakali and striker Prince Nxumalo for Yagan Sasman, Ndiviwe Mdabuka and Nathan Paulse respectively.

Highlands had Zambian hitman Collins Mbesuma on the bench after four-and-a-half months on the sidelines with a knee injury, but the only change to their starting line-up was the return of Nigerian fullback Ayo Oluwafemi, who replaced junior Sibande.

The home side started the brighter and were rewarded for their enterprise on nine minutes when Mayambela gave them the lead with a well-taken goal.

He played a one-two with Nxumalo and raced into the penalty-area, finding himself one-on-one with Highlands goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini. Instead of blasting the ball, the winger produced a deft chip, showing excellent composure and plenty of confidence.

Mayambela raced to celebrate with beleaguered coach Menzo after the goal, with the relief palpable right through the side, a further sign of the pressure they are currently operating under.

The winger was clearly in the mood though and Highlands were finding it hard to keep him quiet. He produced another storming run into the box but his fine cross just eluded opposite winger Thabo Mosadi when a touch would surely have resulted in a goal.

The visitors had first half chances of their own – Peter Shalulile steered a good headed chances wide, while Brandon Theron failed to hit the target when it seemed easier to score.

And Highlands continued to pile on the pressure in the second half as Charlton Mashumba missed an excellent opportunity, but his free header was straight at Ajax keeper Jody February.

Ajax introduced experienced former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns winger Lebogang Mokoena 10 minutes after the break for his first appearance since mid-October, and he immediately combined with Mayambela and Nxumalo, but Highlands were able to clear.

Ajax came close to doubling their advantage when Mosadi smashed a long-range drive against the crossbar.

Mbesuma made his return onto the pitch with a little over 10 minutes remaining and missed a good chance to grab a point when he connected with a cross from former Ajax winger Franklin Cale, but headed over.

Next up for Ajax is an away trip to Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday, while Highlands host a rejuvinated Orlando Pirates on the same day.

– TMG Digital

The response to April 11 has become increasingly muted with each passing year and the families of the 43 fans who lost their lives in a stampede triggered by huge crowds at a league match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at Ellis Park Stadium in 2001 would be forgiven if the day leaves them with a bitter taste in the month.

Former Premier Soccer League (PSL) CEO Robin Petersen‚ who was the League’s boss at the time of the tragedy‚ told Times Media Digital on Tuesday that the disaster remains one of the lowest points of his professional career.

‘‘For five years every year we did a commemoration but then the two clubs took the decision (not to continue the annual commemorations)‚” he said.

‘‘At that stage I was no longer part of the football structures. The decision was they would not continue the annual commemorations.

‘‘I am not sure what the reasons were but I was not part of that decision.”

Chiefs players and technical team held a moment of silence after their training session on Tuesday morning.

“It is one of the saddest days in South African football‚” said Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung.

“It is a fateful day where supporters lost their lives for the love of soccer and their favourite teams.”

Petersen‚ who is now the South African Football Association (Safa) Development Agency chief executive‚ said a lot more can be done to remember the day.

‘‘You can never do enough. You can never do enough. Whenever I go Ellis Park I always go to the corner and there is a memorial plague and I always say my quite respects. One can never do enough. But one can never do enough.”

Looking back to that fateful day 16 years ago‚ Petersen said the memories will forever be etched in his memory.

‘‘What I remember about the day is that it was probably the most shocking day of my life‚” he said.

‘‘It started off incredibly well. We had a board of governor’s meeting at Sunnyside Park Hotel and we had arranged a suite for all the board members.

‘‘It was a very positive meeting and we had a lot of plans for the progress of the league.

‘‘I left to go to the stadium and I was very surprised that it took over an hour and a half from the Sunnyside Park Hotel to Ellis Park.

‘‘And then I got there and saw the complete chaos outside and it was then that I recognised that something bad was happening.

‘‘I went around trying to sort things outside. When I got in it was already 20 minutes into the games and two goals had already been scored. (The score was 1-1)”

Petersen was told there was trouble in the corner inside the stadium and he went to investigate.

‘‘I went down to the field and saw people behind the poles who were already dead‚” he said.

‘‘The game was still continuing so I ran to the touchline and told the referee we had to stop the game. I ran onto the field and stopped the game.

‘‘Then we had to deal with the reality of what had just happened.”

“Such events always refresh our humility before the Almighty‚ whose ever presence carries us through the good and the dark days‚” said Motaung.

‘This indeed was one of the darkest days and we will never ever forget that.”

 — TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Pirates took the lead through Mpho Makola in the 20 minute with Sifiso Mbhele’s 40-minute equaliser making it 1-1 at the break. A Goodman Dlamini own goal in 48th, Oupa Manyisa finish in the 63 and Thembinkosi Lorch strike in the 94 wrapped up the game for Bucs.

Stars played the final 13 minutes of normal time with 10 men after the dismissal for a second yellow of midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula.

Bucs bounced back from a 3-2 league defeat against Stars at the same venue last Saturday.

Pirates attacked off a far more solid, organised platform than a week ago, where an all-at-sea had defence disintegrated in the early stages.

Pirates took the lead when Makola was teed up by a Happy Jele pass 10 metres outside the area, turned and drove powerfully into the top-left corner.

On a Bucs counter-attack in the 38th, Makola’s chip from the left edge found right-back Thabo Matlaba all alone at the far post, who could not get up high enough to get over the header.

After doing all the hard work earning an advantage, Bucs coach Kjell Jonevret would have been disappointed at Bucs for conceding, as from a short corner Nhlanhla Vilakazi’s delivery was nodded home by Mbhele.

There was an element of luck as Bucs took the lead again minutes into the second half. From Makola’s attempted cross from the left Dlamini had to make a motion backwards for a difficult defensive header, which he only managed to deflect past stranded goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi into his own goal.

There was no luck involved though as Bucs, and Manyisa, engineered their third.

Pirates’ midfield fulcrum won the ball near the halfway line, which was touched forward by Issa Sarr to Tendai Ndoro, who in turn played the through-pass into the path of Manyisa again, who simply lifted a chipped finish past Mafoumbi.

In the 77th Makhaula was dismissed for a second bookable offence for a challenge from behind on Makola.

Makola was involved in Bucs’ fourth deep in injury time too, feeding Lorch with a free-kick passed across the outside of Stars’ box, the winger side-footing a shot past Mafoumbi.

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport