Collins Chabalala was both hero and villain in the Castle Premier Soccer League 1-1 draw between Ajax Cape Town and Bloemfontein Celtic at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday evening.
Chabalala scored the visitors’ first-half goal and then gave away the penalty that allowed Ajax to equalise.
In the 12th minute, Brent Evans put over a long free kick but Cyrille Mubiala headed just over the bar from 5m out.
The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute when Chabalala rose high to head home a free kick taken from the left.
Celtic were quicker to the ball but Ajax were not put off and came close in the 30th minute when Franklyn Cale centred, but Nhlanhla Shabalala’s header was well saved by Posnett Omony.
Seven minutes later, Stanton Lewis’s volley flew into the side rigging.
At the other end, in the 38th minute, Chabalala’s header flew just past the far upright.
In the second half, Ajax — now paying with a strong south-easter — attacked with determination. This paid off in the 53rd minute when Chabalala handled in the box and Evans made no mistake with the spot kick.
In the 71st minute, Lewis put over a low cross and Henry Fanteni missed a sitter from just 3m out.
The home side were doing all the attacking, but poor finishing was the order of the day.
In the 79th minute, Wilfred Mugeyi, with his first touch, headed home but he was adjudged to be off-side.
In optional time, Chabalala’s low shot was well saved by Andre Petim. — Sapa