Wits cruise past Celtic to stay in Hunt

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Kabelo Mahlasela brought Celtic back into the match after a defensive blunder by Buhle Mkhwanazi and goalkeeper Darren Keet. Mkhwanazi called Keet to come and collect the ball instead of clearing it, with Mahlasela lurking behind. Keet went as high as he could, standing on the edge of the box before collapsing on the ball. Mahlasela pick-pocketed him and levelled matters.

Mkhwanazi made up for that mistake with a powerful header just after the hour mark and Gabadinho Mhango, against his former team, ensured Wits took maximum points.

Before that, Hunt showed his intentions by starting the second half with a double switch. He brought on Cuthbert Malajila and Daine Klate for James Keene and Sifiso Myeni. Keene left after pulling a muscle just before half-time. The medical team jumped into action after Keene limped off as the club will need all their players in what will be a testing two weeks.

The Clever Boys travel to East London to face Chippa United on Tuesday, followed by a trip to Cairo to take on Al-Ahly in the CAF Champions League on Saturday. Wits return to take on Cape Town City away on March 15 in the Nedbank Cup before hosting Al-Ahly here three days later in the return leg.

This hectic period will test the club’s depth, which they showed last night. How Wits come out of the next fortnight in terms of personnel could shape their finish to the PSL.

An Al-Ahly representative watched this match from the VIP area. He saw a Wits team not shy to get physical when they have to, with strong centre-backs who have lapses in concentration but also score. Mkhwanazi and Hlatshwayo have scored seven times in the league this season.

Wits’ biggest strength is how well they play the occasion, adapting to the battle instead of adopting a “one size fits all” approach. That’s how they won the MTN8 and that’s how they beat Celtic, moving to 37 points from 18 games.

This win intensified what is already a heated battle at the top with Wits, City, Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs battling for the title.