Ajax CT hold Rise and Shine to a draw

Polokwane City saw their winless run in the Absa Premiership extended to five matches as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ajax Cape Town at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Fagrie Lakay scored a late equalizer for the visitors who remain in the relegation zone, a point behind Rise and Shine who opened the scoring through Walter Musona.

Rise and Shine were quickest out of the blocks in the Polokwane heat as Dominic Chungwa forced Jody February into a save with five minutes on the clock.

The hosts continued to dominate proceedings for most of the half, but were denied the opener once more as February pulled off a good save to keep out Musona before Yagan Sasman got in the way of Edgar Manaka's follow-up attempt.

Chungwa, who has been entrusted with leading the line in place of the injured Rodney Ramagalela then failed to hit the target with the goal at his mercy in the 33rd minute.

Polokwane City and in particular Chungwa were almost made to rue their missed chances on the cusp of halftime. Lakay darted in behind his marker before teeing up Tendai Ndoro who could only succeed in blasting his shot over the crossbar with George Chigova stranded off his line.

Ajax Cape Town emerged a different unit following the interval, but Rise and Shine would conjure the first chance of the stanza as Mondli Miya tested February with a rasping effort in the 58th minute.

Lakay, though, was a constant threat and went close for the visitors four minutes later as he burst in behind the Polokwane City defence; only to be denied at the final hurdle by Chigova.

The opening goal of the game finally came in the 69th minute as Musona blasted home from the edge of the area following good, patient build-up play from the hosts.

Rise and Shine, though, would be denied all three points as Tashreeq Morris set up Lakay for the equalizer in the 81st minute. The forward's attempt too powerful for Sibusiso Mbonani who could only succeed in deflecting the ball into the back of his own net.

Next up for Polokwane City is an away trip to Bloemfontein Celtic in two weeks’ time. The Urban Warriors will resume their relegation battle with a clash against Golden Arrows on the 25th of February in the KZN province.

Polokwane City (0) 1 (Musona 69')

Ajax Cape Town (0) 1 (Lakay 81')

Teams:

Polokwane City: Chigova; Ravhihali, Tshilo, Mbonani, Tshehla - Miya, Manaka (W.Maluleke 90+2'), Seabi, Musona - J.Maluleke, Chungwa (Sulumba 64').

Ajax Cape Town: February; Zwane, Nhlapo (Morris 74'), Booysen, Pietersen, Sasman - Malepe, Margeman (Takwara 71'), Mdabuka (Julies 46') - Lakay, Ndoro.