www.ajaxct.comUrban Warriors Hold African Giants
Ajax Cape Town continued to show that they can compete with the very best in Africa after they earned a point from a 0-0 draw against former African Champions Al Ahly of Egypt.
The match was played at a cold, rainy and windy Athlone Stadium and Ajax coach Gordon Igesund was only able to field three substitutes due to the injury and suspension crisis currently facing the team.
The first half, which dished up plenty of action, proved that Ajax were by no means overawed by their more illustrious opponents as they gave as good as they got.
In fact, the Urban Warriors dominated in both the shots and ball possession statistics after the opening 45 minutes.
It was Al Ahly though who had the better chances, but some wayward shooting and some brave goal keeping by Moeneeb Josephs ensured that no goals were conceded by the home team.
In the 11th minute Hassan Mustafa had a good chance for the visitors, but saw his low shot deflected just wide of the upright.
Three minutes later Angolan-born Flavio also failed to find the target from outside the box.
The Cape side's first real chance of the game arrived in the 18th minute when free-kick specialist Brett Evans saw his set piece tipped around the post by keeper Essam Al Haday.
The Egyptian side then enjoyed two chances in quick succession when Emad Mutaib saw his low diving header fly straight at Josephs, while three minutes later the Ajax shot stopper did well to deny the same player by bravely diving at his feet.
Gordon Igesund's men finished the half strongly as first Seuntjie Mohlajwa turned well in the box, only to see his shot trickle wide of the goal and then the impressive Mfundo Shumana was denied a chance to sneak in at the back post with a header when Al Haday reacted quickly.
The home side continued to press forward in the second stanza and in the first 10 minutes striker Thembinkosi 'Terror' Fanteni twice missed the target with shots from outside the area.
Mutaib continued to provide the main threat for the visitors and in the 56th and 58th minutes Josephs again did well to stop him finding the back of the net.
The Urban Warriors had a few more chances to take all three points, however, it was not to be as they failed to find the killer instinct in front of goal, leaving them to settle for a draw, which in itself is a remarkable achievement against one of the greatest clubs ever to grace the continent.
Desondanks is de kans dat de halve finale bereikt wordt niet zo groot meer. X'C
idemIgesund: We still have a chance
Ajax Cape Town coach Gordon Igesund believes his team could still qualify for the next round of the African Champions League despite their 0-0 draw with Al Ahly at Athlone Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Igesund admits that his team really needed a home win against the African giants but he is refusing to give up hope of making it to the semifinals of the lucrative competition.
"We are still in with a shout. Mathematically we still have a chance and need three or four more points," he told SABC Sport.
The Cape outfit, however are facing a tough task now, needing to beat Enyimba in Nigeria and Raja Casbalanca at home if they are to progress.
"We needed to win our two home games. we haven't done that and now we need results against Raja and Enyimba," he added.
Ajax played well against the Egyptain outfit but they couldn't translate their possession into goals, much to their coach's frustation.
"We had our chances but it wasn't to be. We had our moments to win the match but luck wasn't on our side," Igesund declared.
The Urban Warriors coach, however, was pleased with his team's performance as they battled against the odds to earn a credible draw against one of the continent's top teams.
"I'm very proud of my boys. I couldn't have asked for more. The guys gave everything they had."