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Johannesburg - MP Black Aces continued their revival under Neil Tovey's stewardship as they dismantled Moroka Swallows in the last 16 of the Telkom Knockout on Wednesday.
Although Keegan Ritchie put the Beautiful Birds into an early lead at the Dobsonville Stadium, the visitors rallied and secured a stunning victory thanks to goals from Marawaan Bantam, Lindokuhle Mbatha and Mpho Maleka - a result that books them a place in the quarter-finals along with Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Maritzburg, Orlando Pirates, Santos and SuperSport.
Rainer Zobel's embattled Swallows, who remain without a win in the Premiership and who lost the MTN8 final on penalties, gave their fans something to cheer about nine minutes in when Ritchie scored an audacious goal directly from a corner.
Earlier Francis Chansa made a fine save to stop Morgan Shivambu's shot but the goalkeeper could do nothing about Ritchie's setpiece.
Vusiwe Masondo came close to pulling Aces level after 11 minutes and was only denied by Greg Etafia's excellent form.
Just before the interval Masondo turned provider and Bantam's header beat Etafia to make the half-time score 1-1.
On the hour mark Tovey's men stunned the Birds when Mbatha's deft shot flew beyond Etafia's reach and Maleka made sure of the win with a third from close range in the 79nd minute.
Aces remain unbeaten since Tovey took over as head coach of the club.
Although Keegan Ritchie put the Beautiful Birds into an early lead at the Dobsonville Stadium, the visitors rallied and secured a stunning victory thanks to goals from Marawaan Bantam, Lindokuhle Mbatha and Mpho Maleka - a result that books them a place in the quarter-finals along with Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Maritzburg, Orlando Pirates, Santos and SuperSport.
Rainer Zobel's embattled Swallows, who remain without a win in the Premiership and who lost the MTN8 final on penalties, gave their fans something to cheer about nine minutes in when Ritchie scored an audacious goal directly from a corner.
Earlier Francis Chansa made a fine save to stop Morgan Shivambu's shot but the goalkeeper could do nothing about Ritchie's setpiece.
Vusiwe Masondo came close to pulling Aces level after 11 minutes and was only denied by Greg Etafia's excellent form.
Just before the interval Masondo turned provider and Bantam's header beat Etafia to make the half-time score 1-1.
On the hour mark Tovey's men stunned the Birds when Mbatha's deft shot flew beyond Etafia's reach and Maleka made sure of the win with a third from close range in the 79nd minute.
Aces remain unbeaten since Tovey took over as head coach of the club.
