Cape Town - Black Aces came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against to Ajax Cape Town at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday, but lost more ground on Mamelodi Sundowns.
Ajax began the game brightly and were camped inside the Black Aces half of the field for the majority of the opening 15 minutes. However, a combination of good defending and solid goalkeeping limited their chances on goal.
Shu-Aib Walters was particularly effective in coming off his line to claim corners and crosses to remove the danger for his side.
The home side continued to press and eventually the Black Aces defence gave way as Prince Nxumalo broke down the right wing before delivering an accurate cross for Norodien and the midfielder had a simple tap-in for his first goal of the season.
The goal spurred an already dangerous-looking Ajax outfit further up the pitch in search of a second and they found it in six minutes before the half time interval.
Tashreeq Morris found some space on the left flank to deliver a low cross for Nxumalo, who did a brilliant job of losing his marker before smashing the ball into the back of the net to make the score 2-0.
Whatever Mushin Ertugral said to his charges at half time worked a treat and Black Aces were a much improved team after the break.
Just a minute into the second period, they grabbed a one back as Mbesuma got a touch on Thanduyise Khuboni's shot to deflect it past Jaakkola for his 12th goal of the season.
Toriq Losper should have put the game to bed in the 53rd minute after getting through one-on-one with Walters, but the midfielder was unable to hit the target.
Ten minutes later AmaZayoni should have equalised as Aubrey Ngoma went on a mazy dribble but then could only look on in disbelief as he missed the goal with his shot at an empty net.
However, the miss would not prove too costly as, nine minutes before full time, Lebogang Manyama played a beautiful through ball for Jayiya who cooly slotted the ball past Jaakkola to earn his side a point.