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Cape Town - An early strike from Atusaye Nyondo condemned title challengers Mpumalanga Black Aces to a 1-0 defeat in an Absa Premiership game at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.
Having seen relegation rivals Jomo Cosmos grind out a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates on Saturday, Tuks were in desperate need of points as we enter into the second half of the season, and they got just that, holding on as Aces suffered only their third defeat of the campaign.
Sammy Troughton's men got off to the ideal start, with Atusaye Nyondo opening the scoring after just six minutes. The Malawi international with the club’s eighth goal of the season - striking home Thabiso Nkoana's cross to stun the visitors.
The early goal played right into the hosts’ hands - allowing Tuks to sit back and play on the counter.
Aces, chasing six wins on the trot, went on the offensive and were it not for great defending by Tebogo Monyai, Collins Mbesuma would have hit home the equaliser - the veteran with a timely block.
Thabiso Nkoana should've doubled Tuks lead just before the break, but the former Ajax Cape Town striker was unable to convert following a defensive blunder.
Aces came out firing after the interval, but were guilty of missing a catalogue of chances - Mbesuma the main protagonist.
The Zambian striker had plenty of chances to equalise throughout the second half, missing a glorious chance just before the hour before seeing his header attempt from a Lebogang Manyama free-kick go wide of goal in the 84th minute.
For Tuks, the win moves them up to 12 points, one behind Cosmos. Aces lose ground on Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns, who won their respective games this weekend.
