Chiefs became the first team in 2008 to take points off ABSA Premier League Leaders Ajax Cape Town when the teams played to a 1-1 draw in front of a capacity crowd at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.

The Amakhosi though had to come from behind to earn a point in a game where they once again had the upperhand but could not turn their dominance into goals early on.

Nathan Paulse turned home Mwafulirwa’s cross just as the second half got underway and it was left to substitute Kaizer Motaung Junior to win a point for Chiefs as he found the back of the net just a minute after coming off the bench as a second half substitute.

David Obua failed to win Chiefs all three points as he shot a 82nd minute penalty high and wide over the Ajax goal, Chiefs though can take a lot of positives from the match with them to Loftus when they meet Ajax in a Nedbank Cup match on the 14th March.

Khenyeza trio

It took just a minute for Khenyeza to find himself goal side but he was unable to hit the target with his left foot and only found the side net. Soon after that David Mathebula toe poked the ball forward towards Khenyeza, between two defenders , and as the letter ran onto the ball, he feel over and could not take advantage of his good fortune.

Khenyeza’s early misery was compounded when he hit the post in the 14th minute, this after Shaun Bartlett had headed down a Jimmy Tau free kick from the right and Khenyeza, who pushed the ball to the right, fought off two defenders and unleashed a shot from a tight angle which beat Vonk but the post came to Ajax's rescue.

Amakhosi frustration

Just as it was a week ago against SuperSport, Chiefs were again unable to turn the high volume of possession they had into goals. Tau came up with the goods again just past the half hour, swinging the ball from the right to Bartlett who was able to push the ball in front for Sandile Zuke. Although Zuke got to the ball, his attempt at goal went wide from inside the Ajax penalty area - he should have done better.

Khune shot stopper

Itumeleng Khune was some what of a spectator in the first half, but was at his best on the two occasions that he was called into action. The first saw him back peddle to push a wicked shot from around thirty meters out from Makhnyiseli Siwahla over his goal.

On the stroke of halftime he was called upon again and saved a close range header from Nathan Paulse, after Russell Mwafulirwa had initially headed a Bryce Moon free kick from the right in the direction of Paulse.

Ajax lead

After starting the second half brightly, Chiefs found themselves chasing the game when Ajax counter attacked after Gerald Sibeko was unable to significantly test Vonk when Bartlett set him up inside the Ajax penalty area in the 47th minute.

Ajax moved swifly up field and launched an attack up the right wing, eventually the ball got to Mwafulirwa who found an unmarked Nathan Paulse waiting in front of goal, and all the Ajax number nine needed to do was side foot the ball home from a few yards out.

Substitutes combine

Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral made a double change in the 65th minute bringing on Kaizer Motaung Junior and David Obua, the move paid immediate dividends as the pair combined to bring Chiefs level a minute later.

Siphiwe Tshabalala turned the ball in from the left, a poor headed clearance by Shumana bounced up to David Mathebula who jumped up and headed the ball to Kaizer Motaung Junior, who turned and shot the ball on the volley past Hans Vonk to bring Chiefs level.

Obua miss

Chiefs could have wrapped up all three points with eight minutes to go when they were awarded a penalty after Bageta Dikilu had problems dealing with a cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala and he kicked the ball onto his own hand. Up stepped David Obua but he was unable to fire Chiefs into the lead as he hit the ball well over Hans Vonks goal with his left foot, and the chance went a begging.

Match Details:

Line Ups:

Ajax Cape Town: 1. Vonk, 20. Moon, 14. Ferreira, 13. Dikilu, 25. Evans, 17. Enoh,

15. Siwahla, 6. Shumana, 19. Mwafulirwa, 9. Paulse, 29. Selolwane

Substitutions:


In: 24. Franklin Cale; Out: 15. Mkhanyiseli Siwahla 63 min


In: 7. Nhlanhla Shabalala; Out: 6. Mfuno Shumana 70 min




Substitutes not used: 12. Daniels, 18. Vilakazi, 30. Cathey, 4. Isaacs, 23. Doutie

Cautions: Yellow Cards, 25. Brett Evans (studs up tackle on Jimmy Tau) 13 min, 13. Bageta Dikulu (blocking Khune from clearing ball) 45 + min

Coach: Craig Rosslee


Assistant Coach: Wilfred Mugeyi

Kaizer Chiefs: 32. Khune, 2. Tau, 3. Bhasera, 29. Tsotetsi, 6. McCarthy, 14. Tshabalala,

24. Mathebula, 8. Nengomasha, 20. Zuke, 5. Khenyeza, 17. Bartlett (captain)

Substitutions:




In: 27. Gerald Sibeko; Out: 20. Sandile Zuke 46 min


In: 13. David Obua; Out: 29. Moketi Tsotetsi 65 min


In: 7. Kaizer Motaung Junior; Out: 5. Mabhudi Khenyeza 65 min




Substitutes not used: 30. Baron, 18. Zwane, 23. Bulu, 25. Matle

Cautions: Yellow Cards, 3. Onismor Bhasera (late tackle on Siwahla) 3 min,

24. David Mathebula (two footed tackle on Siwahla) 33 min, 6. Fabian McCarthy (clipping Shumana’s heels from behind) 38 min, 29. Moketi Tsotetsi (pushing over Brett Evans 61 min)

Coach: Muhsin Ertugral


Goalkeeper Coach: Rainer Dinkelacker

Match Officials:


Referee: Daniel Bennet


Assistant 1: Enock Molefe


Assistant 2: Mzimkulu Chalambisa


4th Official: Leslie Dean


Match Commissioner: Steve Goddard