University of Pretoria ended 2013 on a high note with a 2-0 home win over Mpumalanga Black Aces in an Absa Premiership match at Tuks Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

AmaTuks substitute Thabo Mosadi proved to be the catalyst for his side, providing an assist for Atusaye Nyondo and a goal of his own in an appearance as a second half substitute that swung a tightly-contested match in the Pretoria team’s favour.

Tuks striker Geoffrey Massa threatened a goal in the early minutes, first sending a shot on target direct from a free kick which was easily saved by Bafana Nhlapo, before heading just wide of the mark from an Atusaye Nyondo cross.

On 15 minutes Onyekachi Okonkwo had the visitors’ first shot in anger, but sent his long range effort wide of Washington Arubi’s goalposts.

Massa threatened again midway through the second half, but couldn’t get the better of Nhlapo, while his teammate Khethukuthula Zwane also tested the goalkeeper from long range, though to no avail.

A couple of minutes before the halftime break, Clifford Mulenga thought he had a great opening to get away a shot on target, but he was quickly denied by an excellent block from Tuks defender Tebogo Monyai.

Six minutes into the second half Okonkwo forced Arubi into a punching save with a well-hit shot, while a few moments later Zwane sent an effort wide of the target as the teams continued to trade attacks.

On 57 minutes Mulenga was brought down by Mkhwanazi just outside the box. The Zambian attacker sent a fine shot on target from the set piece, but Arubi pulled off an excellent finger-tip save to keep the scores level.

Just past the hour mark Tuks sent on Thabo Mosadi as a substitute, and the replacement had an immediate impact, providing the assist for Atusaye Nyondo to beat Nhlapo with a right-footed effort and put the home side 1-0 up.

Nyondo almost doubled the lead with 20 minutes to play, but Nhlapo came up with a diving save. However, there was nothing the goalkeeper could do to deny Mosadi in the 75th minute, with the substitute capitalising on an assist from Nyondo to make it 2-0.

Both sides had further chances to change the score line in the final quarter hour, but there were no further goals and University of Pretoria were able to walk away with all three points on offer.

University of Pretoria (0) 2 (Nyondo 62’, Mosadi 75’)

U Pretoria: Arubi, Monyai, Mkhwanazi, Kekana, Moussono-Moussono, Ngubane (Selolwane 86’), Zwane, Matsi, Ketjijere, Nyondo (Maruping 81’), Massa (Mosadi 61’)

Aces: Nhlapo, Mabaso, Mabizela, Nato, Kobola (Lebyane 80’), Ngalo, Zuke, Zwane, Nale (Qalinge 70’), Okonkwo, Mulenga (Masina 69’)