Wits wipe floor with Baroka in 5-0 rout

A BRACE by Wits’s Buhle Mkhwanazi and goals from Daine Klate, Ejike Uzoenyi and Phakamani Mahlambi demolished Baroka 5-0 in their Absa Premiership tie at the Bidvest Stadium last night.

The massive win takes the hosts back to the top of the log with 34 points from 16 league matches as they leapfrog Kaizer Chiefs.

Despite a pacy start from both camps, neither side produced clear-cut chances in the first 10 minutes as they exchanged ball possession.

The Clever Boys made it 1-0 in the 31st minute when Thulani Hlatshwayo played a clever cross for Mkhwanazi, who finished easily with a powerful header following a set piece from Klate.

Seven minutes later, Klate finished with a powerful left-footed shot after receiving a brilliant pass from Frank Mhango.

With 16 minutes to go, Mkhwanazi completed his brace of powerful headers when he finished Phakamani Mahlambi's pinpoint cross from the right flank, making it 3-0.

Substitute Uzoenyi made an immediate impact in the 84th minute after he was unmarked in the box, and he easily smashed the ball into the roof of the net, handing the hosts a 4-0 lead.

In the 89th minute, Mahlambi was set up by Klate and made it 5-0.

SuperSport United put in a superb second-half performance to crush Maritzburg United 4-1 in their match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Matsatsantsa’s victory, which saw them come from a goal down, takes them up to third place on the standings, two points adrift of leaders Bidvest Wits and one off second-placed Kaizer Chiefs. The Team of Choice remain in ninth place.

Neither side really took control of the game in the early stages, but Maritzburg claimed the lead on the quarter-hour mark through a great strike from Kurt Lentjies.

The Team of Choice midfielder latched onto a poor clearance from SuperSport’s Onismor Bhasera and ripped a great shot from the D of the penalty area into the top corner, giving goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse no chance whatsoever.

SuperSport had to wait until seven minutes into the second half to bring themselves level, with a beautiful passing move around the box ending with Mandla Masango poking the ball home from close range for his first United goal.

And the former Kaizer Chiefs winger’s second arrived less than a minute later, firing home a low, left-footed shot to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

Just before the hour mark it was 3-1, with a cushioned header from Mnyamane setting up Nkhatha to score with a spectacular, acrobatic volley.

The Tshwane side soon racked up a fourth goal, by Jeremy Brockie from close range.

SuperSport will be away to Highlands Park on Saturday evening, while Maritzburg will host Free State Stars on Saturday afternoon. – Backpage TXT