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Cape Town - A solitary goal from Bongolethu Jayiya was enough to earn Mpumalanga Black Aces a 1-0 victory over Free State Stars in a PSL encounter at Goble Park on Saturday afternoon.
Black Aces enjoyed a good start to the encounter as Hedricks Somaeb had some promising forays in the opening few minutes. Free State Stars then joined the party as they put more players up front on attack in search of that crucial early goal.
Aces then upped the tempo as the clock approached the 20-minute mark. Aubrey Ngoma produced some wonderful footwork to beat his man before releasing Mbesuma in the 22nd minute. Not long after, Jayiya grabbed a goal to make it 1-0 after Amazayoni were awarded a corner kick.
Stars then upped the tempo as the half was drawing to a close with Jackson Mabokgwane being called into action in the 33rd minute before Thanduyise Khuboni produced a block which ensured that the two teams headed into the break with Aces leading 1-0.
The hosts came out firing in the second stanza with a full-stretched Mabokgwane producing a fine save to deny Mriso Ngasa in the 47th minute after a well taken free-kick.
Both teams were getting into the game as it progressed, with attacks flowing from end-to-end but both ‘keepers were producing some good saves, and Lehlohonolo Nonyane almost beat Daouda Diakite in the Stars goal. On the other end, Mabokgwane was forced into a superb double save to deny Ngalo in the 78th minute.
Stars were showing signs of desperation as they flew into tackles with Aces enjoying the majority of possession in the dying moments of the game. Tshabalala received a red card in the 82nd minute as Ea Lla Koto could not get back into the game.
The match ended 1-0.
