Cape Town – Ajax Cape Town were left frustrated after Polokwane City grabbed a late share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The first half was action-packed, with the visiting team in particular playing a fast and exciting brand of football, only to be let down by their finishing.
After Polokwane City had a couple of early chances which failed to test home keeper Anssi Jaakkola. It was Ajax who took the lead after 16 minutes when an unmarked Tashrique Morris scored from five yards out after a pin-point cross from Milton Ncube.
The Limpopo side were soon putting the Cape side under pressure with their speed and combination play when going forward, but Puleng Tloane missed a good chance in the 28th minute when he did well to beat Abbubaker Mobara before sending his parting shot wide.
Jabulani Maluleke was also a constant threat down the left wing for the visiting side, but he too was wasteful in his finishing.
Ajax also had their chances to extend the lead, but Morris lost his composure when he shot straight at Polokwane City keeper Modiri Marumo on 33 minutes before being caught in two minds and missed another good opportunity just before the break.
Morris got the first chance after the break, but once again he failed to make it count as his unconvincing effort was blocked by Marumo on 52 minutes before Cecil Lolo also had a shot saved a minute later.
Following that, the game became a rather scrappy and hard-fought, with little in the way of goal-scoring chances.
The Cape side appeared to be set to just about hold on for the win, but the breakthrough came for the visiting side in the third minute of added time when Sipho Jembula tapped in from close range after Jaakkola was unable to hold onto Maluleke's free kick. – – Sapa