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Cape Town - Moroka Swallows came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Ajax Cape Town at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night.
The game got off to a fast-paced start, although both sides looked somewhat rusty after the mid-season break and struggled to string any meaningful moves together.
There was a chance after 10 minutes for the visiting team when Bennett Chenene burst into the Ajax box, but his shot flew across the face of goal.
VIDEO: Ajax v Swallows, highlights
A the other end of the park Mabuthi Khenyeza was close to scoring for the home side when he slashed in a powerful effort towards goal, but he was denied by a superb Greg Etafia save.
Ten minutes before the break Abia Nale got his first chance on goal in the Ajax colours, winning the ball in the Swallows box only to see his parting shot rebound off the near post.
The Birds then had a good opportunity when a corner fell to Rudi Isaacs, who struck his volley with some venom, but Sean Roberts was up to the task, making an excellent block.
But it was the Urban Warriors who were to draw first blood when left-back Musa Lebusa slid the ball in from close range after Khama Billiat’s cross flew across the goalmouth.
Action came thick and fast after the break with both sides keen to attack at every opportunity.
Swallows were close when Chenene attempted to get on the end of Lefa Tsutsulupa’s chip over the defence, but couldn’t quite reach the ball.
Several opportunities followed for the Cape Town side as Billiat shot wide, while Cecil Lolo missed at the far post and then Khenyeza was denied by Etafia after yet another good cross from Billiat.
The failure to take their chances was to come back to haunt the Urban Warriors when the Birds levelled the game with 20 minutes to go, thanks to Siyabonga Nomvethe’s well-taken strike across the goal and into the far side of the goal.
The latter stages of the game remained entertaining and action-packed, with the best chance falling to Dikgang Mabalane, who turned the ball wide of a near-open goal after Roberts had done well to keep out a previous header.
Scorers:
Ajax Cape Town (1) 1 (Lebusa 45’)
Moroka Swallows (0) 1 (Nomvethe 70’)
Teams:
Ajax : Roberts, Lolo, Hlatshwayo, Mokeke, Lebusa (Allie 58‘), Graham, Billiat, Losper, Dolly (Scott 58‘), Nale, Khenyeza
Swallows: Etafia, Da Costa, Isaacs, Lekgothoane, Nergadze, Mapemba, Tsutsulupa (Machapa 87‘), Chenene, Mashego (Chabangu 75‘), Obada (Mabalane 59‘), Nomvethe
The game got off to a fast-paced start, although both sides looked somewhat rusty after the mid-season break and struggled to string any meaningful moves together.
There was a chance after 10 minutes for the visiting team when Bennett Chenene burst into the Ajax box, but his shot flew across the face of goal.
VIDEO: Ajax v Swallows, highlights
A the other end of the park Mabuthi Khenyeza was close to scoring for the home side when he slashed in a powerful effort towards goal, but he was denied by a superb Greg Etafia save.
Ten minutes before the break Abia Nale got his first chance on goal in the Ajax colours, winning the ball in the Swallows box only to see his parting shot rebound off the near post.
The Birds then had a good opportunity when a corner fell to Rudi Isaacs, who struck his volley with some venom, but Sean Roberts was up to the task, making an excellent block.
But it was the Urban Warriors who were to draw first blood when left-back Musa Lebusa slid the ball in from close range after Khama Billiat’s cross flew across the goalmouth.
Action came thick and fast after the break with both sides keen to attack at every opportunity.
Swallows were close when Chenene attempted to get on the end of Lefa Tsutsulupa’s chip over the defence, but couldn’t quite reach the ball.
Several opportunities followed for the Cape Town side as Billiat shot wide, while Cecil Lolo missed at the far post and then Khenyeza was denied by Etafia after yet another good cross from Billiat.
The failure to take their chances was to come back to haunt the Urban Warriors when the Birds levelled the game with 20 minutes to go, thanks to Siyabonga Nomvethe’s well-taken strike across the goal and into the far side of the goal.
The latter stages of the game remained entertaining and action-packed, with the best chance falling to Dikgang Mabalane, who turned the ball wide of a near-open goal after Roberts had done well to keep out a previous header.
Scorers:
Ajax Cape Town (1) 1 (Lebusa 45’)
Moroka Swallows (0) 1 (Nomvethe 70’)
Teams:
Ajax : Roberts, Lolo, Hlatshwayo, Mokeke, Lebusa (Allie 58‘), Graham, Billiat, Losper, Dolly (Scott 58‘), Nale, Khenyeza
Swallows: Etafia, Da Costa, Isaacs, Lekgothoane, Nergadze, Mapemba, Tsutsulupa (Machapa 87‘), Chenene, Mashego (Chabangu 75‘), Obada (Mabalane 59‘), Nomvethe
