Clever Boys are the champs
Wits coast to PSL celebration
BIDVEST Wits became league champions for the first time in their history last night in the finest style of professionalism that has been the great South African club’s hallmark of their 96-year history.
As close contenders Mamelodi Sundowns struggled to a 2-2 draw with Maritzburg United at Lucas Moripe Stadium, James Keene’s strike in the fourth minute and Daine Klate’s in the 61st saw Wits beat Polokwane City 2-0 at Bidvest Stadium, and wrap up the Absa Premiership title with a game to spare.
The PSL may not have had its final-day drama on May 27, but last night’s finish was still nothing less than spectacular.
Spectacular for a fine Wits team who often played pragmatic football in 29 matches – often, as was the case last night, far more than that.
The Clever Boys were worthy champions for the class of their lineup, the firm, educated hand of their coach Gavin Hunt and the excellence of their structures.
Much will be made of Sundowns’ distraction and manic schedule from becoming 2016 African club champions.
But the points on the board tell their own story. Only a robust, excellent squad assembled at Wits could have taken the title from Downs’ superstars, and Hunt can take a bow at a fourth PSL title, equalling Ted Dumitru and Gordon Igesund’s record.
Hunt’s procurement of his old guard players like Elias Pelembe and Klate, via other clubs, in the past two seasons from his treble-winning SuperSport United that won three successive titles from 2008 to 2010 always seemed it might give Wits the edge to become championship material.
Hunt’s Wits can be given flack for at times stodgy football. Their aggressive, front foot game plan has been extremely difficult for teams – including Sundowns at this ground (1-0) just over two weeks ago – to contend with.
Wits confounded early-season doubters to sit in sixth, with three wins from their last four matches.
Wits played the first half like a team stung by their near-choke in their last game, the 3-1 defeat away against Free State Stars, when a late equaliser by Baroka prevented Downs from drawing level on points.
The Clever Boys started with an opening goal by Keene, glancing in a perfect header from Pelembe’s cross after three minutes and 15 seconds.
Wits struck again in the second half, Mogakolodi Ngele passing Klate down the left who finished low past Chigova.
● Rhulani Manzini’s second half hat-trick saw Chippa United beat Supersport United 3-0 in their Premier Soccer League fixture, at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last night.
The Port Elizabeth-based soccer side fought tooth and nail to get the three points from United in an attempt to save their PSL status.
Last night’s victory was Chippa’s second win this year after having gone 12 matches without success.
As the league draws to the end the win will now ease off some pressure on Malesela’s troops, as it will put them in a better position on the log.
Manzini’s first goal came in the 69th minute after Masuku was fouled inside the box by Keegan Ritshie.
Minutes later Manzini doubled the score line for his team and his third goal came in the dying seconds of the game. — With additional reporting by Vuyokazi Nkanjeni