The Star Early Edition

Wits unable to break down Maritzburg

- MINENHLE MKHIZE minenhle.mkhize@inl.co.za

MARITZBURG UNITED 0 BIDVEST WITS 0

WITS are still on course to end their era in top-flight football in style by finishing in the top three, despite another disappoint­ing draw.

The Clever Boys shared the spoils with Maritzburg yesterday afternoon. Even so, Wits dominated the game but couldn’t break the resolute defence of the Team of Choice.

Rowan Human was particular­ly wasteful in front of goal for Wits.

The 19-year-old missed three glorious opportunit­ies. In the first half, he went one on one against Maritzburg goalkeeper Richard Ofori but couldn’t beat him. After the interval, Human continued to be a thorn in United’s backline with his well-timed runs, but Ofori was more than equal to the challenge. The Ghanaian showed a great sense of anticipati­on to deny Human on every occasion.

Wits were all over the Team of Choice but lacked that killer instinct.

A point propelled them to third on the log, replacing SuperSport United, who can retake the CAF Confederat­ion Cup spot tonight by beating or drawing with Black Leopards.

Mathematic­ally, the Clever Boys can still win the Premiershi­p title race but it may now be nothing more than a dream. If they win all their remaining league matches,

Wits will finish on 57 points, while current leaders Kaizer Chiefs already have 53 points with four matches left.

Wits, who have sold their

Premier Soccer League status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhand­ila (TTM), have shown a good level of profession­alism since the resumption of football and finishing third will secure TTM a place in next year’s

CAF Confederat­ion Cup.

Wits are still unbeaten after the restart of the PSL, having won one game and drawn four. It is a record they will be looking to improve when they tackle Bloemfonte­in Celtic, Kaizer Chiefs, Black Leopards and Polokwane City in their remaining league matches.

For the Team of Choice, it is all about the top eight now. They remain sixth and are yet to register a victory since the restart. It is something they will be searching for when they face Highlands Park, Orlando Pirates and Celtic in their final outings.

Meanwhile, AmaZulu remained perilously close to relegation after they drew 2-2 with Celtic yesterday.

Usuthu moved up one spot in the standings, into the relegation playoff spot, a point ahead of Leopards.

 ??  ?? Rowan Human
Rowan Human

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