Mpumalanga Black Aces registered a hard fought 1-0 victory over Bidvest Wits in an Absa Premiership match played at Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday evening.

After a series of missed opportunities early in the game, Aces eventually broke the deadlock through Clifford Mulenga in the 81st minute.

Mpumalanga Black Aces took the field with a clear mandate to attack following their poor run in the Absa Premiership, but their main problem was how to get past Wits' defence led by Junaid Mashamaite.

They had Motha Madoda and Clifford Mulenga up front and the two found the going tough as their supply was quickly dealt with by Fabricio Rodriogues and Marawaan Bantam.

The first half was clearly Wits's but they could not convert the numerous chances created.

Wits were creative and daring in their approach.

Kadi is close to being recognised as one of the best strikers in the PSL. With performances like the one he had against Aces, he is doing enough to get people to notice him. However, the reigning PSL player of the month was closely monitored by Felix Musasa.

In the second minute, Calvin Kadi missed what looked like a sure goal when his header went over the bar with a gaping net in front of him. While the Students seemed to be in control of the proceedings in the first half it was also worrying that they did not seem overly worried about their opponents — and they nearly paid dearly when Nkosinathi Ogle's shot went wide in the 22nd minute.

After the miss, Aces exerted pressure but they seemed to run out of ideas when entering the home side's danger area.

After a tongue lashing from their mentors, both sides came back strongly in the second half as they staged several onslaughts into each others goalmouth but both sides failed to use the opportunities they created.

Substitute Thando Mngomeni could have given his side a lead in the in the 78th minute but with his impatience in front of goal the shot wide, something that left the Students' coach Roger De Sa with more questions than answers.

After Aces goal, Wits tried all they could do to level matters, but it was a matter of so close yet so far.