Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns are starting to feel the heat. After recently crashing out of the African Champions League and the Nedbank Cup, they looked jaded in a 0-0 PSL draw with Ajax Cape Town at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night.
Sundowns have had a tiring, punishing playing and travel schedule of late - and it certainly looks as if it has had an effect on the squad.
Going into Wednesday’s clash against the Capetonians, the Pretoria club also had the added pressure of second-placed Wits having closed the gap at the top of the PSL standings.
With all of this, it was visibly evident that the Pretoria club is feeling the pressure and buckling under the fatigue. After Wednesday night’s draw, Sundowns are now just four points clear of Wits. And the stress and strain won’t let up - because awaiting Sundowns at the weekend is a high-octane, high-pressure fixture against Kaizer Chiefs.
They also still have to face Wits - on May 11 - so the destination of the PSL title is not a forgone conclusion for Sundowns. For Ajax, though, there was a lot to enthuse over in the first half. The Cape side was forced into reshuffle ahead of the match, with defender Abbubaker Mobara failing a late fitness test and forced to sit out the much-anticipated clash with glamour club Sundowns.
Fortunately, though, Ghanaian Lawrence Lartey had recovered from a recent niggle and was able to step up to partner teenager Rivaldo Coetzee in the centre of defence, with Abel Mabaso, on loan to Ajax from Sundowns, slotting in at rightback.
The loss of Mobara, however, in no way, deterred the Capetonians. There is no doubt that when Ajax get it right, when they are in the mood, they are very difficult to peg back.
Even Sundowns, currently the country’s best club, with some of the best footballers in the PSL, and many pundits’ favourites for the league title, battled to stay with the Cape side in the opening 45 minutes.
If only, if only, Ajax could be more consistent, more clinical, in front of goal, things could be so different. On Wednesday, like so often this season, despite an abundance of possession, they squandered their scoring opportunities.
And, to add insult to injury, two of the chances were so easy… In the 11th minute, Erwin Isaacs’ cross from the right put Prince Nxumalo in the clear in the penalty area, but his attempt was magnificently saved by Sundowns keeper, Denis Onyango.
While it was a great stop, it would have been far better, more effective, if Nxumalo had kept his shot low, rather than place it in the path of the diving Onyango.And, in the 30th minute, there was an even easier opportunity. Tashreeq Morris was clear down the right flank and his cross was met by Isaacs in the five-yard area.
The chance was there, an empty net was gaping, but Isaacs flipped the shot over the cross bar.As it always is with football, despite Sundowns playing second fiddle for the entire opening 45 minutes, they nearly took the lead on the stroke of half-time - their only chance of the half - when Hlompho Kekana struck a trademark, venomous free-kick goalwards - but, fortunately for Ajax, the ball thundered against the upright.
The second half was more equal as Sundowns tried to find their rhythm. For the Pretoria side, Thabo Nthethe went close, while Ivorian Bangaly Soumahoro drew a brilliant save from Ajax keeper Anssi Jaakkola.
For the Cape side, there were opportunities for Mosa Lebusa and substitute Franklin Cale as the game opened up in the closing stages.
Neither team, though, was able to break the deadlock and it ended in a disappointing stalemate. It was an occasion that promised much - but, again, as usual, Ajax were let down by some woeful finishing in front of goal.
The Star