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Ajax, Polokwane settle for a point

Cape Town - A second half penalty from Thobani Mncwango cancelled out Nathan Paulse's strike to hand Polokwane City a point as they drew 1-1 in their Absa Premiership tie against a 10-man Ajax Cape Town at Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday night.

The stalemate took the Citizens to the 10th spot on the log with two points from three matches so far.

As early as the fourth minute, Paulse took the lead for the hosts after a sweet cross from the right flank by Thabo Mosadi.

A minute later, the hosts had a chance to double their lead when Paulse and Lebohang Mokoena were denied by goalkeeper George Chigova from a double save in the box.

Following the early lead, Roger De Sa's men dominated the proceedings until the 17th minute when Puleng Tlolane tried to beat keeper Brandon Petersen on the right post, but his shot went wide.

Tlolane once again produced a powerful shot at goal in the 21st minute aiming for the top corner, but Petersen was equal to the task to punch it away for a corner.

Luc Eymael's side tried to get something in the opening half, but they failed to open the stubborn Urban Warriors defence.

It was 1-0 at half-time.

The first 10 minutes of the second stanza failed to produce clear cut chances despite Ajax's dominance with Chigova collecting all the balls into his area.

However, a foul on Tlolane in the box by Roscoe Pietersen in the 60th minute forced the referee to give City a penalty as he showed the defender his second yellow card.

Rise and Shine's Mncwango raised his hand to convert from the penalty spot, making it 1-1 after beating Petersen on his right corner.

Three minutes later, in an aim to find their second goal, Bantu Mzwakali made a brilliant run into the box beating two defenders, but his shot at goal was blocked by Chigova and the rebound went wide.

Although both sides probed for a winner, Tlolane saw his well struck curler touched for a corner by Petersen in 88th minute.

Ajax are now placed at No 9 on the log table with two points from three league matches thus far.

Teams:

Ajax Cape Town

Petersen, Mabaso, Coetzee, Pietersen, Lebusa, Mokoena (Chipeta 63'), Graham, Isaacs, Mosadi (Mdabuka 46'), Mzwakali, Paulse (Nxumalo 73')

Polokwane City

Chigova, Semenya, Hlongwane, Mbonani, Tema, Seabi, Mncwango, Tlolane (Ndou 90'), Ndlovu, Kanyenda (Jembula 58'), Ramagalela

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