Black Aces beat Maritzburg United 2-1

The game was played on Sunday, February 16.
Aces website reported that Clive Barker made four changes from the team that did duty in midweek, with Jackson Mabokgwane getting his first match in goals. Man-of-the match Mbulelo “OJ” Mabizela returned to the heart of defence while captain Zamuxolo “Eddie” Ngalo slotted in as a makeshift left-back position.

In midfield Thabo “Section” Qalinge started in place of rested Abia Nale out on the left wing and together with Themba Zwane on the right side, tormented the United defence with their pace and skill from the first whistle.

And as early as the 3rd minute AmaZayoni took the lead with a well worked goal from Tendai “Fire” Ndoro to open his goal scoring account for Aces. Mabhudi Khenyeza rose above all, inside the United box and connected perfectly with a pin pointed cross from Clifford Ngobeni and flicked the ball onto the path of the alert Ndoro, who tapped in to give AmaZayoni an early advantage, 1-0.

From there it was obvious that visitors were in for a hectic day as Zwane, Qalinge, Khenyeza and Ndoro cut through the United defence like a hot knife through butter, with pace and determination going into the opponents final third.

Khenyeza should have doubled the lead in the 9th minute when he received a clever ball from Zwane on the edge of the box but the ever hardworking striker’s volley flew just inches wide off target. Three minutes later United equalized with a clinical finishing header by Dutch forward Orlando Smeekes after a great cross from Delron Buckley.

AmaZayoni, however, were not to be offset by the visitors’ equalising goal and continued to play the high tempo match as they pinned United in their own half. Ngobeni created some space inside the United box in the 17th minute to release Khenyeza, but Maritzburg goalkeeper Shua-ib Walters was quick and first to the ball. Aces displayed a pulsating opening 20 minutes of attacking brand of football under extremely hot conditions in Nelspruit with United chasing shadows. The match referee gave the players a breather in the 23rd minute when he allowed drinks to come onto the pitch amid the sweltering heat.

Ofentse Nato should have regained Aces’ lead as the half hour mark approached, the Botswana international missing a sitter from close range with Walters well off his line and his goal posts.

Nato, however, made up for his earlier miss and regained AmaZayoni’s lead in the 34th minute with a superb volley to beat Walters hands down with ten minutes to the half time break. Nato received and magnificently controlled a cross with his chest from Zwane on the right side and turned and unleashed and powerful volley that gave the keeper no chance, 2-1.

Aces enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half as they managed over 60% for longer periods of the match, with the battle of the half belonging to the tussle between OJ and Smeekes. The two hustled and bustled each other in a ‘tug of war’ that resulted in a bandage around the ribs of the former Bafana Bafana captain.

The second half began with United chasing the game and searching for the equalizer, while Aces consolidated as they protected their first half lead. Clear-cut goal scoring chances were scarce in the opening ten minutes after the restart.

The first real goal scoring chance came the way of United, when Bongolwethu Jayiya combined excellently with Reuben Cloete to set Smeekes free with the goal at his mercy. His attempt was cleared off the line by the AmaZayoni defence, but the referee, blew his whistle for offside. Seven minutes later United had another chance when right-back Abel Mabaso gave away a dangerous free kick on the edge of the box. Jayiya took a goal bound shot but the wall did its job as the ball deflected off for safety.

It was a great passage of play from Steve Komphela’s side for the better part of the second half but Aces stood firm. Smeekes, who was a thorn in the Aces’ back four, had a great opportunity to again level matters in the 64th but his shot was dealt with by debutant Jackson Mabokgwane, who had a stunning game in goals.

Clive Barker handed Miguel Timm his debut a minute later as he stabilised his midfield, pulling off the excellent Zwane for the much more defence-minded Timm. Aces then had a half chance as Ngobeni fired a long-range shot that ballooned over the cross bar.
Clifford Mulenga joined the party with just less than 10 minutes to the full time whistle as he came on for Khenyeza and the Zambian’s introduction almost paid immediate dividends with a well-timed strike but marginally off target.

Tshidiso Tukane also came onto the pitch for Ndoro in the 86th minute, as Aces’ looked destined for their fifth win of the season. That win was threatened with two minutes to go when United were given a penalty after Nato had brought down Terrence Mandaza in the box.

Jayiya took the spot kick and Mabokgwane, on his debut and his first match in nearly two years, dived to his right and saved the penalty with his trailing legs to make sure AmaZayoni bagged the full three points.

The win sees Aces retain their 12th position on the Absa Premiership table with 20 points from 16 outings. The good news is that Aces have at least two matches in hand over their nearest rivals for a Top Eight berth.

The next assignment for AmaZayoni is a trip back to Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday evening to lock horns with AmaZulu.
A second win on the trot for Aces will surely see them move into the top half of the PSL table.

“OJ” Mabizela was voted the man-of-the-match and came in for special praise from Clive Barker in his post-match interview.
Barker was clearly relieved with the victory which will give the club a massive confidence boost, especially after Polokwane City had shocked Pirates and Free State Stars collecting three valuable points against the hapless Arrows.