Absa Premiership
Result: Baroka FC 1-1 Ajax Cape Town
Date: 23 August 2016
Venue: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Baroka FC began life in the Absa Premiership with a 1-1 draw against Ajax Cape Town at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Urban Warriors got off to an encouraging start and showed their attacking intent from the onset, as Roscoe Pietersen rattled the upright in the opening minute.
Ajax were awarded a penalty after eight minutes when Nathan Paulse was brought down in the box. The veteran striker stepped up and made no mistake from 12-yards out, 1-0.
Brandon Petersen was deployed in between the sticks for the visitors and he certainly impressed, as he produced a couple of fine saves to keep the hosts at bay after 20 minutes.
Despite going a goal down, Baroka started seeing more of the ball as the half went on, with Collins Makgaka troubling the Ajax defence on numerous occasions.
Ajax were pegged back in their own half in the closing stages of the opening stanza, however Baroka struggle carve out openings, as the visitors went into the break with a one-goal advantage.
However, Baroka leveled matters five minutes into the second half, as Richard Matloga nodded home at the far post to mark his debut with a goal.
The Urban Warriors should have restored their lead a minute later when Pietersen picked Eric Chipeta, who blazed over the crossbar from point-blank range.
The visitors opted for a change after 68 minutes as Tashreeq Morris replaced Erwin Isaacs, while Mfundhisi Chauke replaced Ayanda Jwara for Baroka.
Ajax pushed for a winner in the final 15 minutes, with Thabo Mosadi leading the charge with a few surging runs down the right flank, While, Joaquim Lupeta was handed his debut in the 82nd minute.
Baroka did have chances to secure the win in the latter stages of the half but were let down by some poor decision-making in the final third, as the score remained 1-1 at the final whistle.
Here's how they lined-up:
Baroka: 30. Masuluke, 5. Ravhuhali, 22. Chauke (Jwara 70'), 6. Shaku, 32. Motshegwa, 15. Mothupa, 35. Zikalala (Mogale 87'), 21. Moeti, 10. Makgaka, 3.Mahasha, 12. Matloga.
Ajax Cape Town: 1. Petersen, 4. Chipeta, 3. Coetzee, 26. Lartey, 5. Lebusa, 8. Mdabuka, 23. Mosadi, 27. Pietersen, 29. Paulse (Lupeta 81'), 20. Isaacs, (Morris 69') 11. Mzwakali (Margeman 86')
