POLOKWANE – Ajax Cape Town missed the chance to kick-start the second half of the season with a much-needed win after they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Polokwane City on Saturday.
While the result at least ended a run of two defeats in 2017 for the Cape team, they could well have claimed maximum points at the Peter Mokaba Stadium had they been more clinical in a first half in which they were dominant.
Polokwane, who equalised just before halftime and were improved after the break, have now drawn all three of their matches this year.
Ajax started brightly, with veteran striker Nathan Paulse getting in a couple of early efforts on goal.
And they were rewarded with the opening goal on 14 minutes when Rheece Evans made a storming run down the right flank before pulling the ball across goal for Grant Margeman to apply the finishing touch.
The Urban Warriors kept on pressing and had three good chances to double their lead in the next 10 minutes, but Roderick Kabwe twice went close after being set up by Thabo Mosadi, who himself failed to score after an exciting solo run on 25 minutes.
Both Kabwe and Mosadi wasted further opportunities and the Cape side were made to pay the price for their poor finishing when Rise and Shine equalised six minutes before halftime through Rodney Ramagalela, following an assist from Sipho Jembula.
The Limpopo club took their momentum into the second half, and had chances as Ramagalela fired wide before Jabu Maluleke sent a header over the bar on 64 minutes.
Ajax keeper Jody February also pulled off a good save to deny Ramagalela on 72 minutes.
But it was the Urban Warriors who had a late chance to snatch victory, only for Aubrey Funga to shoot straight at Polokwane keeper George Chigova in the 87th minute.