Ajax beaten as Baroka handed Premiership lifeline

Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town missed out on a top eight spot as Baroka avoided immediate relegation after a 1-0 victory at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Letladi Madubanya's towering second-half header proved to be the only goal of the game as Baroka ended the Urban Warriors' top-eight bid, with a shock win on the final day of the Premiership season.

Baroka now qualify for the relegation play-offs next month, with a chance of retaining their top-flight status.

In one of the few end of season fixtures where both sides had something to play for, it proved to be a lively encounter in front of the few supporters who pitched up at Cape Town Stadium.

Both sides ended up with ten-men on the pitch at full-time as Baroka, for all their off field troubles this season - managed to pull off the unthinkable. 

Needing all three points to claw their way out of 16th spot which they've occupied for most of the season in their maiden top-flight campaign and only recording four wins all season - it was Ajax's game to lose. 

And the straight red from Roscoe Pietersen just before the break ensured it was a tougher afternoon than anticipated. 

Veteran midfielder Letladi Madubanya made the most of the advantage early in the second-half, with a bullet header from a corner to smash the ball past Brandon Petersen in the Ajax goal.

However, he went from hero to zero in a matter of minutes - with two yellow cards in quick succession with avoidable fouls on Urban Warriors captain Travis Graham to end their numerical advantage in the final stages of the game. 

Nonetheless, the visitors managed to see out the game thanks to a man of the match display from goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke to keep Stanley Menzo's side out of the top-eight. 

The three points moved Bakgaga into 15th, and they will now face Stellenbosch FC and Black Leopards in the relegation play-offs for a chance to retain their status in the Premiership.