Ajax draw with SuperSport

©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Published Aug 11, 2012

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Cape Town - A late goal from Thembinkosi 'Terror' Fanteni salvaged a 1-1 draw for Ajax Cape Town against SuperSport United at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.

For many of the SuperSport players, it was a return to their home town, with a large portion of Gavin Hunt's side having played their football in the Mother City, several of them with Ajax.

Early stages of the game saw an open and fast-paced match with play going from end to end as both sides attacked.

There were half chances early on as Ajax's Dutch playmaker Koen van de Laak put Khama Billiat in on goal, but the Zimbabwean miscued his effort, while at the other end, SuperSport's George Maluleka dragged an effort wide against his former employees.

As the game moved past the 20 minute mark, Matsatsantsa began to grow increasingly confident and looked the more dangerous team going forward.

For all their efforts, though, Ajax keeper Sander Westerveld remained largely untested, bar a few aerial balls which he dealt with quite comfortably.

With 10 minutes to go before the break, there was a rare chance for the Urban Warriors when Lebo Manyama picked out Billiat inside the box, but his shot from the left flew into the side-netting.

The first moment of the second half went to Ajax as Fanteni threaded the ball through for Toriq Losper, who in turn was just not able to locate a goal bound Van de Laak.

It was, however, the Tshwane side who were to take the lead, netting in the 51st minute when veteran striker Sibusiso Zuma found Westerveld off his line and scored from nearly 40 yards out.

The goal spurred Ajax into action, and saw defender Mathew Booth employed in a more advanced position.

Although chances fell to Fanteni, and later Nhlanhla Vilakazi, the Cape side could not find a way onto the score-sheet.

The hosts looked to be in for a fruitless night, but eventually things fell for them in front of goal when, in the 79th minute, the ball broke to Fanteni, who turned to drill a low shot across keeper Ronwen Williams and into the back of the net.

There was a late escape for Ajax when Zuma had a goal ruled out, while at the other end the hosts had a decent shout for a penalty turned down.

But it could be argued that the 1-1 draw was a fair reflection of the evening's play. - Sapa

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