Black Aces stutter in the rain

The drizzle was not a good omen for Mpumalanga Black Aces which slipped and slid their way to a second successive 2-1 home defeat against Bidvest Wits on Wednesday evening at Mbombela Stadium.

Christopher Katongo and Buhle Mkwanazi scored for the Clever Boys while Aces captain Abia Nale netted a solitary goal from the penalty spot in this Absa Premiership clash.

The match was not the most free- flowing of games with a midfield battle deciding the outcome. Aces and Wits both looked good on the attack but lacked the finishing touches in what can best be described as a game of missed chances in both halves.

The match itself was an interesting contest from the outset, with Aces’ Betheul Tukane and Wits’ Sameehg Doutie controlling the midfield for their sides with their explosive and quick reaction time on the pitch.

Aces and Wits shared the possession in the first 10 minutes of the match with both sides getting used to the conditions. The first big scoring opportunity came after a long ball was headed down which enabled the incoming Chris Katongo to deposit the ball into the net with a thunderous strike on the half volley.

It was a special goal which even saw Aces fans applauding the effort. A goal frenzy then ensued as Wits doubled their lead from a Mkwanazi header before Aces replied with a goal, all in the space of three minutes.

Wits defender Kees Kwakman handled the ball in the area and the referee duly pointed to the penalty spot from which Aces captain Nale converted.

Doctor Mampuru was one of the Aces players who did his growing reputation proud as his play down the right-hand side was exemplary in the rainy conditions. His delivery into the box also caused trouble for the Wits’ defenders on a number of occasions.

It seemed that there was still hope for the home side to draw level but it was not to be as a combination of wasted chances from Okonkwo in the first half, Tendai Ndoro in the second, and the solid Wits defense paved the way for a defeat.

Collins Mbesuma had the best chance in the second half but Moeneeb Josephs pulled off a fantastic save that underlined his class and experience in the PSL.

It was not the result that coach Clive Barker wanted but it was certainly the outcome Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt craved. It was evident as the final whistle blew with Hunt and his team congratulating one another with delight on their faces.

Aces next match is against the high-flying Chippa United and they will have to show improvement if they hope to remain in the top 8 of the Absa Premiership.