Ajax CT's title hopes fading
2008-05-15 22:41
Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town's hopes of winning the Absa Premiership are hanging by a thread after they played out to a 1-1 draw with Santos at the Athlone Stadium on Thurday night.
The Urban Warriors must now hope that SuperSport United lose to Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday if they are to stand any chance of lifting the trophy.
The game started off rather tentatively, with neither side stamping their authority on the game.
However, it did not take long for a goal to arrive, with Ajax scoring from the first clear-cut opportunity of the match.
The goal came via former Santos striker Dipsy Selowane, who timed his run to perfection before guiding Mkhanyiseli Siwahala's tantalising cross into the corner of the net.
Although Erwin Isaacs looked sharp for the Peoples' Team up front, the only chance the side in yellow enjoyed in the early stages of the game was Bevan Fransch's 18th-minute free kick which flew straight at Hans Vonk.
Santos' equaliser in the 33rd minute was a fine example of the great strike partnership which Eleazar Rodgers and Isaacs are forming.
Rodgers instinctively hooked the ball in the direction of Isaacs on the right flank, who played in a perfect ball for his strike partner to slot past Vonk, doing superbly to hold off Erduardo Ferreira in the process.
Well-struck efforts
Ajax started the second half looking intent on regaining their lead.
Two well-struck efforts by Urban Warriors midfielder Clifford Ngobeni saw the first force a good save out of Santos keeper Wayne Roberts, while the second one flew over the bar.
Craig Rosslee's men were very unfortunate not to go 2-1 up when Nathan Paulse found the back of the net with a header, but he was ruled to have obstructed the Santos defence, although replays suggested it was in fact the Ajax striker who was being held back by Zvenyika Makonese.
Having done well to soak up the pressure, The Peoples' Team came within inches of scoring in the 73rd minute when Musa Otieno's header from Thando Mngomeni's free kick just missed the target.
A minute later a storming run by Wayne Arendse sent Romano Scott through on goal, but looking to pick out Isaacs, he was unable to find a decisive touch.
Shortly afterwards Mogogi Gabanamong wasted a great opportunity to score when he shot wide of goal after Isaacs had teed him up inside the box.
Desperately searching for a winning goal, it looked as if Ajax's prayers had been answered when Nhlanhla Shabalala burst through on goal in the 87th minute, but he was prevented from finding the back of the net through a marvellous save by Roberts.