CAPE TOWN A dominant Ajax Cape Town could not get a breakthrough on Saturday night and were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Santos in an Absa Premiership match.
The Urban Warriors began the game with far more energy and purpose, while The Peoples Team struggled to find their rhythm.
George Maluleka caused Santos all kinds of problems and his close-range drive early on forced Pa Demba Touray into a diving save.
Khama Billiat then tested Touray with a shot from outside the box, before a long-range corker from Maluleka crashed into the woodwork.
Ajax took the lead 20th minutes in from the penalty spot. The spot-kick was awarded after Jurie Basie took down Maluleka, with Brent Carlese converting coolly.
Santos remained in a slump, while Ajax continued to push forward, with Carelse and Billiat going just wide with a header apiece, and Maluleka going close with a free-kick.
Ajax should have increased their advantage and were made to regret those wasted chances. Just after the break Vuyisile Wana was unlucky to see his long-range scorcher bouncing back off the upright for Santos.
From their next attach Eleazar Rodgers placed a looping header into the top corner, following a free-kick from Erwin Isaacs.
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Both teams went in search of the winner from then on; Ajax looked a threat down the wing, while Isaacs did his best to try and create some opportunities. The match stayed even, however, leaving Ajax trailing log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by five points, in fourth place.
Meanwhile, a second-minute opener by Bernard Parker and an equaliser by Sifiso Vilakazi four minutes later were all the goals at Mbombela Stadium between Bidvest Wits and Kaizer Chiefs.
At the other end, Sibusiso Vilakazi did well to gather the ball from a Chiefs player, before crossing to Sifiso Vilkazi who found the back of the net.
Despite four minutes of added time, the match ended a stalemate. Kick Off
