University of Pretoria ended Mpumalanga Black Aces’ winning run at five matches with a 1-0 victory over the Absa Premiership title challengers at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday.

Atusaye Nyondo lasted only 20 minutes before picking up an injury, but scored the decisive goal to hand the club only their third win of the season and subsequently keep them within touching distance of Jomo Cosmos.

For Aces it’s a bitter blow following wins for both Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits this weekend.

Due to on-going protests at the University, the game was moved to the home of the Blue Bulls - this if anything benefited Aces, with the wider pitch playing to their strengths.

It would be Tuks, though, to opening the scoring after just six minutes. Following early pressure from Amazayoni, Tuks broke up-field through Thabiso Nkoana who picked out Nyondo for the opener - the goal only Tuks' eighth of the season.

This sparked Aces into life and after Limbikani Mzava saw his fierce effort sail just over, Mbesuma was brilliantly denied by Tebogo Monyai. The veteran defender is key to Tuks’ survival bid and showed all his experience in deflecting the burly forwards' shot wide of goal.

With 10 goals, Mbesuma headed into the fixture as the league’s top scorer by some margin, and the Zambian ace was a constant threat - Arubi had to be on his toes to deny the burly forward on 40 minutes, tipping a shot from range over the crossbar.

Aces were in control and looked a team in-form, but Tuks should've doubled their lead before the break. A defensive mistake gifted Nkoana a chance, but the striker was unable to find the back of the net with just Shu-Aib Walters to beat.

Muhsin Ertugral was unhappy with his side’s performance in the first-half and made two changes at the interval, former Tuks duo Mpho Matsi and Aubrey Ngoma making way for the pair of Judas Moseamedi and Thabo Nodada.

Aces bossed possession, but came up against a resilient Tuks defensive line - superbly marshalled by Monyai. When Leboganga Manyama finally found a way in behind for the Mpumalanga side, Mbesuma was unable to convert from close range on 58 minutes.

The visitors continued to press for the opener and would go close once again through Mbesuma with six minutes remaining. The former Orlando Pirates player guiding his towering header from a Manyama set piece inches wide of goal.

Aces bombarded the Tuks goal in the closing stages, but couldn't find a way past the home side, who held on for a valuable win.

University of Pretoria (1) 1 (Nyondo 6')

University of Pretoria: Arubi; Jaure, Monyai, Mwedihanga, Ngubane, Ketjijere, Maruping, Mnyamane (Bacela 90+5'), Zwane, Nkoana (Mosadi 88'), Nyondo (Ntombayithethi 20')

Mpumalanga Black Aces: Walters; Moon (Tukane 66'), Mzava, Ngalo, Nonyane, Ngoma (Nodada 46'), Matsi (Moseamedi 46'), Khuboni, Modiba, Mbesuma, Manyama