Team of Choice settle for a point

Maritzburg United looked set for all three points from their game against Ajax Cape Town at the Newlands Stadium on Wednesday night, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw as Lance Davids scored 10 minutes from time.

Both side’s showed attacking intent early on, although there was little in the way of goal-scoring chances, with the exception of Dipsy Selolwane’s powerful effort from 14-yards out which flew straight at goal keeper Tashrique Goldman.

The Team of Choice however soon settled into their rhythm and they took what at the time was a deserved lead when Felix Obada finished coolly from a tight angle in the 19 th minute, placing the ball across the body of Ajax keeper Hans Vonk and into the far corner.

The Urban Warriors attempted to reply five minutes later when Franklin Cale cut in from the right and took aim for the top right hand corner, however, the ball flew just off target.

But Maritzburg continued to look the stronger side, creating some good chances as Musa Nyatama forced Vonk in to a diving save in the 25 th minute and then Obada headed over the bar with the goal at his mercy six minutes later.

The home side looked to try and get back in the game, but in general their play was poor as attacks lacked cohesion and were either stopped in their tracks or ended in weak shots.

The second half saw the pressure coming from the home side as they looked to level the game.

Selolwane shot just wide in the 51 st minute and then 10 minutes later he fired in a vicious shot which Goldman had to beat away, while Sifiso Vilakazi blasted high over the bar in the 56 th minute.

As the half wore on, the Cape side maintained the upper hand, while Cale also started to look increasingly dangerous down the left flank.

But as the Maritzburg defence held firm, there looked no way back for Ajax, that is until the 80 th minute, when luck went Ajax’s way as Bafana Bafana midfielder Lance Davids’ shot from distance took a huge deflection to beat Goldman.

Ajax: Vonk - Allie, Ivanovs, Descamps, Jennicker - Diallo (Alexander 65'), Davids, Selolwane, Cale, Scott (Vilakazi 46'), Fofana (Sibisi 46')

Maritzburg: Goldman - Petersen (Madidilane 46'), Dikulu, Hendricks, Ngwepe - Obada, Nyatama, Madondo (Mor 60'), Chivuta, Bester, Davids (Smith 81')