Wits collect important points
BIDVEST Wits got their mojo back, blitzed SuperSport United in the opening halfhour last night, then closed shop to get that valuable win they have been desperate for to finally escape the last position on the Absa Premiership log.
Strikes by Bongani Khumalo and James Keene’s in the 16th and 19th minutes made it a 2-0 victory, to finally lift the air of depression that had fallen over the Bidvest Stadium this season.
For the first time, Wits actually looked like defending champions.
They ended a run of four games without a win and went to 14 points, bumping Ajax Cape Town into last place, with 13 points.
Clever Boys coach Gavin Hunt might have blamed his side’s missed chances for their atrocious start.
But in truth, as much as there were those, it has been the explosion in the legs of attackers entering the opposition penalty area, and the shock value and disarray that provides, that has been as much lacking.
Last night, aware they desperately needed three home points facing a gruelling next four matches – against Chippa United, Bloemfontein Celtic, SuperSport again, and Kaizer Chiefs – Wits found that bang again, overwhelming Matsatsantsa in the first half. Hunt’s team, after being flat as road kill all season – except in the knockout cups – finally found their fire in the belly and came out like an angry, cornered mongoose.
From a Sifiso Myeni chip, Lehlohonolo Majoro forced a save from Reyaad Pieterse, then hit the post.
The lively striker and partner James Keene were a handful for SuperSport’s injury and suspension-enforced centreback Grant Kekana, and combined for Majoro to see a shot blocked.
Captain fantastic Thulani Hlatshwayo was involved in both Wits’ two goals in three minutes.
“Tyson” headed on a corner by Myeni from the left back for Bongani Khumalo in the middle, who chested and volleyed past Pieterse like a striker.
Then a Hlatshwayo glanced header put Keene down the right, who showed the strength of an ox to hold off big Azubuike Egwueke and shoot from a crazy angle, beating Pieterse low at the near post.
It could have been three, when Hlatshwayo fired a low, hard cross to find Khumalo for a shot that was kept out by Pieterse’s feet in the 28th minute.
If Wits had blown like Charlie Parker at Birdland in the first half, they played to a more sedate George Gershwin tune in the second.
And SuperSport, wind out of their sails, struggled to find the movement to break down Wits, who soaked pressure to protect their lead.
SuperSport United coach Eric Tinkler brought on Sipho Mbule and Thabo Mnyamane – making a return from injury for a fourth league appearance of the season – for Reneilwe Letsholonyane and a distracted Jeremy Brockie to shake up things.
But Wits were iron-tight.