Ajax ‘lucky’ to draw with rookies

Ajax Cape Town assistant coach Mich D’Avray thinks his team was lucky to have got away with a point after Absa Premiership rookies Baroka FC held them to a 1-1 draw at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday.

The Urban Warriors started the game on a bright note, getting the opening goal in the early stages through veteran striker Nathan Paulse’s spot kick in the 10th minute, only for the goal to be cancelled out by Richard Matloga in the second half, with the home side dominating possession and creating plenty of opportunities but let down by poor finishing.

“I thought we stopped playing after we scored the goal. We allowed Baroka to come at us, they didn’t cause problems in the first half. But second half they certainly did. I don’t know what the stats in the ball possession were. I think they must have dominated. And if I’m to be honest, I think we were slightly fortunate to come away with a point in the end,” said D’Avray.

On a positive note, D’Avray was pleased with the club’s new signing Thabo Mosadi, who gave Bakgaga’s back four a difficult time and he could have easily got on the scoring sheet had it not been for the brilliance of Baroka’s keeper Oscarine Masuluke saving the winger’s close-range shot in the 75th minute.

“I thought Thabo was very good for us, he caused problems down our right-hand side. He looked like one man who could unlock the doors and create things for us. But we needed more performances like that from other players tonight.”

Ajax next host Orlando Pirates at the Cape Town Stadium, a clash which D’Avray says they are looking forward to.

“That is the big one, but we were saying before the game, there are no easy games in the this league. Coming to Polokwane to play Baroka is a difficult game.”