Polokwane City snatch valuable point at Ajax Cape Town

Both Ajax Cape Town and Polokwane City are still without a victory in the new Premier Soccer League season as they played out a 1-1 draw at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday in a game both could have won.

Ajax dominated the first hour and were deservedly ahead at the break but gave away a penalty after a hour and had defender Roscoe Pietersen sent off as they lost the initiative.

Nathan Paulse scored after just four minus to give Ajax an early lead but Polokwane finished stronger after Thobani Mncwango got their first goal of the season from the spot.

Strong goalkeeping on either side was also a dominant feature of a game which suggested both clubs still have much to do to make any impact in this campaign.

Paulse claimed his third goal of the season with a deft back heel after a storming run down the right by Bantu Mzwakali in just the fourth minute. Paulse got ahead of his marker to be perfectly place at the near post to receive the cross and heeled it into the net in a smart show of precision.

He should have got a second immediately thereafter, robbing Thabiso Tema of the ball and having a shot on target that George Chigova did well to block as he came out quickly to cut the angle. The follow up by Lebohang Mokoena was stopped by Tema.

Polokwane City’s Puleng Tlolane hit the first effort for the visitors just wide after 18 minutes as they struggled to get out of their own area.

Ajax kept up the pressure but Tlolane should have bagged an equaliser with a thunderous effort that Brandon Petersen touched around the corner with a brilliant one-handed stop.

The quality goalkeeping continued with Chigova at the other end as tipped away a goal bound effort from Musa Lebusa after Paulse had again won possession from a shaky Polokwane City

Pietersen was yellow carded just after the break in what seemed a hard decision from referee Victor Hlungwani but there was no doubt after his concession of a penatly in the 60th minute. He was booked again and had to go for an early shower and will miss Friday’s derby as well as the visit of Orlando Pirates next week.

Mncwango tucked away the penalty but Polokwane were surprisingly slow in seeking to take advantage of a 10-man opponent.

Ajax looked sharp on the break with Mzwakali still harassing the defence but in the final five minutes Polokwane had chances with both Tlolane and Jabu Maluleke taking too much time on the ball when they could have snuck the victory.

  - TMG Digital