Do or die for Wits

BIDVEST Wits’ stuttering Absa Premiership challenge will be tested again tonight when they travel to Mpumalanga Black Aces knowing nothing short of victory will give them a realistic chance at silverware.

A draw for Wits, coupled with victory for leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at relegation-threatened University of Pretoria tomorrow, will seal the championship for the Brazilians with two matches to play. Wits looked off-colour in their 1-1 draw with Chippa United on Saturday and will need a much more energetic performance against an Aces side who are still chasing third place in the league and CAF Confederation Cup qualification.

Hunt has a number of concerns in his weary squad, not least up front and in the midfield.

Papy Faty was taken off in the first half against Chippa after he felt dizzy, having earlier in the campaign collapsed on the field with a mystery ailment.

“We ’ ve just got to be careful [with Papy] as he’s just come back from a long lay-off, so we’ve got to protect him a little bit,” Hunt said of his key midfielder.

Hunt is also sweating on his forwards but hinted he may give a run to prolific English striker James Keene, who was left on the bench at the weekend.

Wits are already assured of second place in the league and qualification for the 2017 CAF Champions League.

Aces have spluttered along in recent months with just a single victory in their last 11 league matches that has taken them from league challengers to at best a third-place finish.

Coach Muhsin Ertugral thought his side’s performance in a 0-0 draw with Polokwane City on Saturday was so woeful he felt compelled to apologise to the crowd for the standard served up.