Tshambobvu Junior Aces booked a place in the quarterfinals of the PIB MTG and Black Leopards KO Competition by beating Tshivhulani Young Stars 5-1 at the Makwarela Stadium on Sunday.

Junior Aces took the game to their opponents from the first whistle. It took them only four minutes to stamp their authority on the game. Their speedy forward, Elekanyani Thavheni, was on target, following a square pass by Thembuluwo Manyaga.

Young Stars gained momentum as the game progressed.  Their solitary goal came in the 18th minute. Emmanuel Muthanyi headed home, following a corner kick from Rinae Mawelewele.

Aces took the lead again in the 37th minute. Talifhani Manyaga found the net with a header after a rebound. Elekanyani Thavheni tried his luck from outside the box. The ball hit the crossbar and bounced back into play, from where Manyaga easily headed home.

Rinae Mawelewele of Young Stars was the first player to go into the referee’s book. He tackled Lugisani Ramulongo of Aces from behind and was lucky not to see red.

Junior Aces increased the tally six minutes into the last half. Elekanyani Thavheni completed his brace after beating the offside trap. Young Stars lost hope after they were reduced to 10 men in the 64th minute. Emmanuel Muthanyi was given his marching orders, following a second bookable offence. He tackled Rofhiwa Mudau from behind.

Talifhani Manyaga scored the fourth for Junior Aces with a long-range volley in the 75th minute. Rabelani Ndou of Junior Aces was also sent off, following an off-the-ball tackle on Emmanuel Tshifura. Ndou could not hold back his tears when the referee showed him red. He started crying uncontrollably on his way out.

Thembuluwo Manyaga forced his way through the defence of Stars and scored the fifth later in the game.