Wits fail to impress with win in extra time

BIDVEST Wits were so unconvincing in their extra-time 4-2 win over Free State Stars in the Telkom Knockout last-16 at the Bidvest Stadium on Saturday night that even their coach Gavin Hunt admitted they were lucky to emerge victorious.

Hunt blamed his team’s timid performance on not having enough material every time he had to select his starting lineup this season‚ with players missing for various reasons.

“From the start of the season I can’t pick a team‚” he lamented, saying he would have to sign players in January.

The Wits coach also dismissed reports that there have been problems in the Clever Boys camp.

The players’ morale was said to be at an all-time low following reports about bonuses not being distributed to their satisfaction after they won the league for the first time in their history last season.

“The players have been fantastic – even in losing, they have been fantastic. The players have worked their socks off – in good times and bad times,” Hunt said. “Despite winning two matches in a row‚ including their first away league win against log-leaders Baroka FC last week‚ the league champions are yet to catch a wake-up from their slumber this season.

After taking an opportunistic 20minute lead against Stars on Saturday‚ Wits could not last more than four minutes in that lead.

Hunt could not believe his eyes when his charges allowed Thabo Maphakamisa plenty of time and space to pull a low ground shot just outside the area to level matters.

Two minutes before half time, Wits regained the lead as referee Daniel Bennett gifted them a penalty after Stars defender Rooi Mahamutsa handled a Daine Klate free kick inside the area. Egyptian striker Ahmed Gamal stepped up and slotted it in.

But it was again the Clever Boys’ failure to seal the deal in the second stanza that allowed Stars to come back with a penalty of their own after Nazeer Allie was adjudged to have fouled Sinethemba Jantjie inside the area with 15 minutes to go.

Siphelele Mthembu smashed the penalty into the back of the net‚ sending the match into extra time.

But Gamal’s scoring prowess rescued Wits and he settled matters, with his strikes coming in each half of the added 30 minutes.