Aces let points slip in another draw

It was déjà vu for Mpumalanga Black Aces this past Saturday when they once again let three points slip away after a 2-2 draw against Bidvest Wits in the Absa Premiership.

A Sthembiso Ngcobo stoppage time goal deflated Aces’ spirits during the encounter at the Bidvest Stadium.

This was the second match in succession that Aces played to a 2-2 draw after achieving the same result against Polokwane City last week Wednesday.

Aces will be kicking themselves for letting their lead slip after looking certain to head back home with the win in the bag.

Midfield playmaker, Aubrey Ngoma, gave Aces the lead in the 34th minute with a simple tap-in.

Amazayoni owed their first-half advantage to goalkeeper, Jackson Mabokgwane’s heroics in front of goal. Mabokgwane wowed with some spectacular saves, denying Wits striker, Henrico Botes, on three separate occasions.

Wits continued to pile on the pressure in the first half but could not find a way through the Aces shot stopper.

Aces had been guilty of playing too deep in the first half and were lucky to maintain their lead for as long as they did, as Wits sent a barrage of shots on the Aces goal.

The Clever Boys eventually got a well-deserved equaliser in the 77th minute through Phumlani Ntshangase’s free kick that evaded the wall and Mabokgwane to finding the net.

Aces then got a big break in the final minute of regular time through some brilliant work by Bongo Jayiya, who had also set up Aces’ first goal. Jayiya kept the ball in play and then dragged the ball back into play for Eddie Ngalo to head home.

As fate would have it, Wits found the equaliser when Ncgobo headed the ball past Mabokgwane at the other end of the pitch. It was heartbreaking for the Aces players who only had to hold on for a few more seconds.

Their next fixture is against Chippa United at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday, May 6. Kick-off is at 19:30.