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Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town had to settle for a point from a 0-0 league draw with AmaZulu at a cold and windy Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.
That AmaZulu centre-back Carlington Nyamdombo won the man-of-the-match award spoke volumes about a night on which the two defences both played with commitment and came out on top.
With the exception of a couple of hopeful moments in attack from Ajax in the opening stanza, it was Usuthu who looked the more dangerous side going forward during for what for the most part was an uninspiring first half.
VIDEO: PSL - Ajax v Amazulu, highlights
The first 10 minutes passed by without much incident, before AmaZulu began to pose a threat to the Ajax defence.
And they were close to scoring when Kulegani Madondo's header took a couple of deflections before being cleared off his own line by Khama Billiat.
The KZN side also looked set to go ahead on 17 minutes after Goodman Dlamini turned smartly in the box, but a moment's hesitation before pulling the trigger allowed Nazeer Aliie to dive in with a brave block.
Ajax then began to instigate some attacks of their own, with Wanderson particularly influential as he drove forward with purpose, looking to cut inside from the right flank.
The Brazilian earned a couple of free kicks, but Usuthu keeper Tapuwa Kapini was not overly troubled by any of the set-pieces.
Just before the break the Urban Warriors had their first proper chance on goal, but Mabuthi Khenyeza was unable to get the better of Kapini.
After the break, the contest reverted back to a dour affair lacking innovation and individual spark.
Neither side was able to carve out clear openings, and bar a couple of long range shots which sailed wide, neither keeper had much to worry about.
The Urban Warriors were able to mount a bit of a late flurry on the Usuthu goal, thanks to the extra thrust provided by the introduction of substitute Lebogang Manyama.
But the gangly winger wasted a defect chance with three minutes of regulation time to go when he miscued his parting shot after a good combination with Khenyeza.
Manyama was then just inches wide with a free kick which saw Kapini failing to cover his ground; the goal minder doing well soon after to punch a dangerous aerial ball clear of his box.
And with that went the Cape side's hopes of picking up what have been a valuable three points in their quest to escape the relegation zone.
