Aces and Tuks share the spoils
Aces had enjoyed their first win of the season over Supersport United, but came unstuck against a resolute Tuks defence.
An empty scoreboard marked the bittersweet ending of the Mpumalanga Black Aces and University of Pretoria match on a bitterly cold night at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday August 30.
Aces had enjoyed their first win of the season over Supersport United, but came unstuck against a resolute Tuks defence.
Tuks lost their midweek match against Free State Stars and it seemed throughout the match that they would not settle for a second loss in a row. Mbesuma retained his good form the past week when he tested Tuks keeper Washington Arubi with a long-range thriller. This was but only the first test for Arubi as well as his Aces counterpart, Energy Murambandoro at the other end of the pitch.
True to his name Murambandoro was a bundle of vibrancy as he jumped, punched and dived to keep a well-deserved clean sheet.
One particular effort that stood out was a one-handed save to deny Atusaye Nyondo an opener after Tuks had built up pressure in the oppositions’ half.
The match was deadlocked at half-time with fans hoping to see some goal-scoring action in the second half.
Unfortunately this was not to be even though Aces’ Abia Nale and Mabhudi Khenyeza did their best.
Tuks could have stolen a victory in the dying minutes but Ronald Ketijijere sent his shot over the crossbar, much to the dismay of Tuks coach, Steve Barker.
Aces coach and relative of Steve, Clive Barker will have to work some magic in the goal-scoring department since his team have scored only five goals this season. Their next match is against Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium on September 13.
