Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Winnerspark kicked off the new year on a winning note when they narrowly beat an obdurate Mpumalanga Black Aces 1-0 at Seshego Stadium on Saturday.

The win lifted the Jacob "Cellular" Sakala-coached side from fourth position to third on the Inland Stream of the National First Division log.

Winnerspark spokesman Trevor Lekalakala now believes that his team can qualify for the playoffs at the end of the season.

The goal was scored by Congolese defender Christian Ombola-A-Nianguengue when he finished off a rebound shortly before the interval.

Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, a jubilant Lekalakala said they were ready to shift the mountains to qualify for the relegation-promotion event in May.

"We are slowly moving up the ladder and all the players are ready to die for the success of the team this season," said Lekalakala yesterday.

"Last season we qualified for the playoffs and I don't see why we can't do the same this season. It will be a tough season but we will be equal to the task," he said.

Kenny Ndlazi, Aces' mentor, said he was satisfied with his charges' display despite the setback.

"It was a match of two halves and we created a lot of chances but failed to bury them," said Ndlazi, who took over the coaching reins at Amazayoni five days before Saturday's encounter. The Seshego match was one of the two rescheduled fixtures that were lined up by the Premier Soccer League after they were disrupted by rain last year.s Durban Stars' pipped Ikapa Sporting 1-0 at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi.