Black Aces show their true potential

It was goals galore at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto when Mpumalanga Black Aces beat Moroka Swallows 3-2 to get three crucial points in their Absa Premiership match on Saturday October 18.

This was a much-needed confidence boost for Aces ahead of their next match against Orlando Pirates today at Mbombela Stadium.

They frustrated Swallows for the early part of the first half and held 67 per cent of the possession without creating too many chances. The home team could have had the lead but Dikgang Mabalane missed a golden opportunity as Aces’ keeper Jackson Mabokgwane saved his shot.

Amazayoni eventually scored the opener through striker, Abia Nale who hit the back of the net with the ball cutting the grass past Swallows keeper, Sage Stevens. Swallows kept pressing for an equaliser.

The Dube Birds found that goal after the Aces defence were all over the show, giving Larry Cohen an easy tap in for his first goal in a Swallows shirt.

Minutes later they were in their own half where they needed to defend an Aces corner. They made the mistake of marking strikers instead of focusing on Kwabena Adusei, who was left completely unmarked in the box. His powerful header hit the net with precision giving Aces a 2-1 lead at half-time.

Swallows coach Zeco Marques had a lot of thinking to do as the second half started with fans showing their disappointment at the score.

In stark contrast Aces could be pleased with their efforts, as Clive Barker brought on Collins Mbesuma or Mabhuti Khenyeza shortly after half-time in search of a killer blow.

This came from an unlikely source, as Adusei and Eddie Ngalo combined to get an easy tap in after a looping free kick had the Swallows defence scratching their heads.

They did manage to peg a goal back with 30 minutes to go, which made things interesting. Vuyisile Wana scored a cracking goal into the top corner of the net with a first-time strike, shortly after coming on for veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvethe.

Both teams had chances to score more goals but in the end Aces held on for a deserved win against the struggling Swallows, who have now played three league games without a win.

Aces now find themselves in ninth position on the log and a win against Orlando Pirates today will put them in second spot on the Absa Premiership league table.

Kick-off at Mbombela Stadium is at 19:30.