Aces go down to Wits

Mpumalanga Black Aces’ positive run in the Absa Premiership came to an end when they lost 2-1 to Bidvest Wits at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Sithembiso Ngcobo scored a brace for the Clever Boys before hobbling off the field with an injury, while Tendai Ndoro scored the only goal for the hosts.

Ngcobo opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he beat Bafana Nhlapo with a deft lob after he was played through by a long ball from Calvin Kadi.

Ndoro had an opportunity to level matters two minutes later when he found some space on the right, but Moeneeb Josephs reacted quickly to push his effort wide of goal.

The Clever Boys threatened again in the 14^th minute as a clearance fell for Jabulani Shongwe just outside the box, but he was unable to keep his volleyed effort down.

Ngcobo completed his brace a minute later, running behind the Aces defence to reach a pass from Asive Langwe before burying the ball into the bottom right corner.

However, he was unable to complete the first half as he was replaced by Ryan Chapman in the 33^rd minute after picking up an injury.

Chapman had his first opportunity three minutes later after collecting a pass from Sibusiso Vilakazi on the left, only to see his low shot saved by Nhlapo.

AmaZayoni reduced the deficit in the 41^st minute as Ndoro nodded past an exposed Josephs from close range, with Abia Nale providing the assist from the right side of the box.

The second half saw Aces applying more pressure but Mbulelo Mabizela failed to hit the target in the 60^th minute after jumping the highest to reach Clifford Ngobeni’s corner at the far post.

Josephs then pulled off a brilliant double-save in the 73^rd minute to keep his side in the lead, stopping an effort from Thabo Qalinge before keeping out Themba Zwane’s follow-up shot.

The visitors could have sealed the win in the 82^nd minute when a quick counter-attack caught Aces short at the back, but Chapman was unable to capitalise as he shot wide of the target from inside the box.

Clive Barker’s side threw everything at Wits in the closing stages but Josephs produced another great save in the second minute of added time, diving to his left to parry a powerful strike from Method Mwanjale.

Mpumalanga Black Aces (1) 1 (Ndoro 41’)

Bidvest Wits (2) 2 (Ngcobo 9’ 15’)

Mpumalanga Black Aces: Nhlapo, Mabaso, Mwanjali, Mabizela, Ngalo, Ngobeni (Okonkwo 89’), Zuke, Zwane (Masina 82’), Ndoro, Nale, Qalinge

Bidvest Wits: Josephs, Mngonyama, Bhasera, Gumede, Langwe (Isaacs 60’), Nhlapo, Vilakazi, Madubanya, Shongwe, Ngcobo (Chapman 33’), Kadi (Booth 83’)

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