Nightmare half ‘was sheer hell’

BIDVEST Wits just could not do the basics right in a first-half performance that probably cost them three points as much as conceding an equaliser deep in injury time‚ said Clever Boys coach Gavin Hunt after his side’s 2-2 draw against Highlands Park.

Hunt admitted his side had a nightmare first half in their Premier Soccer League match at Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday night‚ which was perhaps their worst 45 minutes of the season‚ conceding a penalty scored by Thanduyise Khuboni (25th minute)‚ equalising through Elias Pelembe‚ but then seeing Hlanti sent off in the 44th.

Down to 10 men‚ Wits found a better rhythm and finally brought their midfield and front-line into the game‚ fighting back for Pelembe to score a second (69th).

But with a strange five minutes added by referee Lwandile Mfiki‚ having done all the hard work Wits conceded Mothobi Mvala’s equaliser in the fifth minute of that.

“We never did the basics of the game‚” said Hunt of his team’s first-half performance‚ where Sifiso they gave the ball away easily in their own half.

“Second balls‚ headers‚ tackles‚ closing down. And in saying that in the first half we had the best two chances.

“‘Tsotso’ could have just rolled the ball to Mhango‚ and then it would have been a goal.”

“The penalty wasn’t a penalty. And it’s disappointing to get a red card from it.

“But we’re still unbeaten. And even after going down to 10 men‚ we got something here.”

Wits went back to the top of the PSL table with the result‚ level on 20 points with Cape Town City‚ but with a superior goal difference.