Clever Boys’ campaign off to flying start
SUPERSPORT United must have been kicking themselves last night when a player they decided not to sign scored one of the goals that knocked them out of the MTN8.
Daine Klate, whose demands were just too high for Matsatsantsa, scored for his new club Bidvest Wits in extra time before striker Henrico Botes scored a cracker to seal a 3-1 win for the Clever Boys as they joined Ajax Cape Town in the semifinals.
A night that started with so much promise for Wits, thanks to a third-minute goal from Sibusiso Vilakazi, threatened to end in disappointment. First, Jeremy Brockie equalised just before the hour and the hosts’ defender Buhle Mkhwanazi was sent off after a second bookable offence.
But SuperSport also had-Kingston Nkhatha sent off for dissent, and Wits pounced on their poor defending with two quick-fire goals in extra time go get their 2015-2016 campaign off to a flyer.
Without a trophy since they won the Nedbank Cup in 2010, the Clever Boys are hoping coach Gavin Hunt can bring success in his third season at the club.
Hunt gave debuts to Klate and Elias Pelembe and it took the latter only three minutes to show he is going to be an important player for the Clever Boys.
The speedy Mozambican went on one of his famous runs on the flank, cut into play before slipping the ball into the path of Botes.
Botes spotted Vilakazi making a late run into the box and the 20142014 PSL footballer of the season gave the hosts the lead with a shot that deflected off a SuperSport player.
After struggling with injuries last season, Vilakazi needs to have a good season to enhance his chances of going overseas, which is his dream.
The Clever Boys took the lead into the break, but it was the visitors who established an early foothold in the second period.
Brockie continued where he left off last season when he headed home from close range after some good work from Dove Wome on the right wing.
Mkhwanazi was then sent off for a challenge on Brockie, but Nkhatha followed him to the dressing room after having a few words to say to referee Victor Gomes.
Klate headed home Wits’ second nine minutes into extra time and Botes produced a moment of brilliance with a longrange effort to seal the deal.