Ajax Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs played to a 1-1 draw in what was a thrilling Absa Premiership encounter at Athlone Stadium on Saturday evening.
Nathan Paulse continued his good record against the Amakhosi with his header attempt giving the Urban Warriors the lead. The hosts, though, would be denied all three points with Daniel Cardoso finding the back of the net with 11 minutes of regulation time remaining.
The result brings an end to a five game winning streak for the Glamour Boys while Ajax remain winless this year.
The first chance of the match fell to the hosts with Bantu Mzwakali setting up Thabo Mosadi in the eighth minute – the Urban Warriors’ winger seeing his volley attempt straight at Itumeleng Khune from the edge of the area.
Kaizer Chiefs then kicked into motion and were unlucky not to take the lead four minutes later. Siphiwe Tshabalala’s powerful shot had Jody February beaten, but not the post.
Chances kept on coming at either of the park and after Mark Mayambela was denied by a super bit of last ditch defending, George Maluleka guided his free-kick attempt inches over the crossbar.
Playing against his former employers, Maluleka seemed eager to impress with his attempt rattling the top of the net in the 26th minute.
The teams deadlocked at the break, with the sold out venue eager for more goalmouth action in the second stanza.
Chances continued to come at either end of the park following the interval, with Khune pulling of a superb save to deny Mosadi the opener in the 51st minute of the match.
Ajax, though, would get their goal soon after with Paulse heading home from a Mosadi cross with 58 minutes on the clock. The burly forward having the beating of Khune once more.
The Urban Warriors came within inches of doubling their advantage three minutes later, Mzwakali seeing his attempt rattle the woodwork with Khune beatean.
Having failed to build on their lead, Ajax were duly punished as Chiefs pulled level following a relentless spell of pressure. Cardoso with the vital touch from Maluleka set-piece in the 79th minute, 1-1.
Both teams had a chance to win the game late on with Ndiviwe Mdabuka firing wide in the 89th minute, to the delight of the sold out venue – dominated predominately by Chiefs fans.
