Big sigh of relief from Hunt as Wits stay up
Jonty Mark
The relief was palpable on Saturday afternoon as Bidvest Wits finally ensured their safety in the Absa Premiership for another season.
Tensions ran high at Bidvest Stadium, with Gavin Hunt even sent off for one expletive or another from the touchline, but in the end a rousing second-half display saw the Clever Boys pick up a 3-2 win at home to AmaZulu.
The result leaves Wits five points clear of 15th-placed Ajax Cape Town with just one match left to play, and they could even finish as high as seventh in the table with a win at Platinum Stars on May 12.
Fighting against relegation, a season after winning the championship, was unusual territory for many in the Wits squad, including winger Daine Klate, 32, who has won six league titles in his career.
At 1-0 down at half time against Usuthu on Saturday, it looked like Wits might still be fighting for survival on the last day of the campaign, but Klate got the equaliser that sparked Wits’ comeback.
“We are happy to get the monkey (of relegation) off our back,” said Klate afterwards.
“In the second half of the season we did well, but in the last five games we managed to put ourselves back in contention (to go down). It was unfamiliar territory for a club like Wits, and I have never been in this situation personally.
“But we stuck together and stayed positive and now we can breathe a sigh of relief and prepare for Platinum Stars and maybe sneak into the top eight.”
Michael Morton gave AmaZulu the lead on Saturday with a deflected shot, but after Lehlohonolo Majoro had seen a penalty saved, Klate arrived to head in the equaliser from Thabang Monare’s fine cross.
Substitute Eleazar Rodgers headed in the second, and Ben Mothswari (left) added a beautifully worked third. Wits then survived a late scare as Thapelo Nyongo slotted home a penalty. AmaZulu are also safe despite losing the match.
“We talked about me getting in the box as much as possible, I used to score a lot of those goals. Thabang gave a brilliant assist … I am happy to contribute to the team’s success and to keeping the club up,” added Klate.