Johannesburg - A second half goal from Dennis Masina handed MP Black Aces a 1-0 win over Ajax Cape Town at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
After constant pressure Masina found the back of the net in the 65th minute as Aces registerd only their second Absa Premiership win of the season, and in doing so handed the Urban Warriors their first loss of the league season.
Aces were the better side from the onset as they adjusted to the searing heat and outrun a lacklustre Ajax side.
The Cape club offered very little in attack and never really threatened the Aces goal.
The match started a little slowly, but sprang into life in the just after the half hour mark when Urban Warriors goalkeeper, Anssi Jaakkola, had to be at his best to turn an 18-yard effort from Mabhuti Khenyeza around the post.
Jaakkola was called into action again on the stroke of half time, this time producing a good save to deny Tinashe Nengomasha from long range.
The half ended 0-0.
Aces took firm control of the match in the second 45 and made their pressure tell in the 65th minute when Masina was quickest to react after Jaakkola had initially stopped a Khenyeza shot, tapping the rebound home with ease, 1-0.
Aces continued to control matters after going in front and were unlucky not to double their lead in the 80th minute when Tshidiso Tukane’s 20-yard shot skimmed the wrong side of the post.
In the end a 1-0 result was a fair result as Aces picked up their second win of the season and leaves them on nine points while Ajax are on 14.