Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town had to settle for a 1-1 draw in a pulsating Premiership fixture at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening.
The match began at a frenetic pace and maintained that energy throughout the 90 minutes, with Ajax keeper Anssi Jaakkola the standout player on the pitch as he pulled off a number of crucial saves.
Chiefs took the lead just after the hour mark through an Edward Manqele strike, but their celebrations were short-lived as Ajax levelled matters five minutes later as Nathan Paulse produced a clinical header to restore parity.
The first chance of the match came for Chiefs on the quarter hour mark.
Camaldine Abraw made a bustling run towards goal before crossing for Manqele whose fiercely struck attempt was well-saved by Jaakkola in the Ajax goal.
Riyaad Norodien had a chance from the right hand side in the 35th minute, but his shot from a tight angle did not have enough dip as the ball landed narrowly over the crossbar with Chiefs keeper Reyaad Pieterse a more than interested observer.
Chiefs put together a flowing move in the 41st minute with Siphiwe Tshabalala running towards goal before offloading for Manqele who managed a first-time shot, but his attempt was blocked by an Ajax defender to bring an end to the dangerous passage of play. On the stroke of half-time Tsepo Masilela produced a screamer of a shot from just inside the area, only to see Jaakkola pull off a stunning save to keep his side level.
Chiefs were rewarded for their persistence in attack with the opener in the 65th minute.
After more swift interplay by the AmaKhosi, Tshabalala came up with the initial shot which was saved by Jaakkola, but Manqele was on hand to bury the rebound to take a 1-0 lead for the visitors.
Ajax, however, were quick to respond with the equaliser in the 70th minute through a Paulse header. Cecil Lolo whipped the ball in from a corner, and Paulse rose above two defenders to find the corner of the net to make it 1-1. There would be no further change in the scoreline, as both teams were forced to share the points from the encounter. - ANA