Free State Stars...................... (0) 3
Sekola 93, Dlamini 95 Venter 110
Bidvest Wits........................... (0) 1
Klate
Gavin Hunt isn’t a fan of Fifa breaks.
His argument is; it tampers with the momentum of his team.
Well at Olen Park Stadium in their last 16 encounter of the Telkom Knockout against Free State Stars, his argument turned out to be true.
For a side that hammered Tshwane giants Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 in the MTN 8 final a few weeks ago, Wits struggled against a side they should have easily sauntered past in this knockout competition. This encounter didn’t have to go to extra time like it did, especially with Wits after having created so many chances. The Clever Boys looked disjointed in the most part of the first period. They lack rhythm, pace and momentum moving forward. Their coach had only made one forced change in his rearguard ahead of this match. He had brought in experienced defender Bongani Khumalo to fill in the void which was left out by suspended Buhle Mkhwanazi. Khumalo fit into that central defensive role comfortably. He didn’t struggle one bit, well that’s up until extra time. The Thulani Hlatshwayo – Bongani Khumalo combination was broken to shreds in the extra 30 minutes of the match. They conceded two goals in a space of five minutes, thanks to goals from Moeketsi Sekola and Sithembiso Dlamini in the first stanza. In the second period, E alla Koto continued with their fine form. Danny Venter added the final nail to the coffin as his side progressed to the next round of this cup competition. Daine Klate scored a consolation goal late in the second period.
It is in the attacking third, however, where Wits seemed to struggle the most in this match. They just couldn’t find the back of the net, especially in the first 45 minutes of this game. As a result, Hunt was left extremely livid on the sidelines. It was their finishing which let them down.
Wits first clear chance came in the early minutes of the game when Elisa Rogers received a superb pass from teammate Elias Pelembe inside the box. The Banana Bafana centre-forward, however, couldn’t make the needed turn to beat his marker in the box, resulting to a chance wasted.
Thabang Monare, who has been outstanding for Wits since he joined them from the now relegated Jomo Cosmos, was substituted before the break following an injury he had gotten in a tussle with Star’s defender Bokang Tlhone.
Tlhone had kicked the player on the knee, forcing him to limp off the pitch to make way for the industrious Ben Motshwari.
Motshwari, however, couldn’t aid Wits’ problems in the attacking third. The Clever Boys just continued with their disappointing missing chances in front goal.
Gabadinho Mhango could have made it 1-0 before the break when he received a beautiful back pass from Rogers. The player, however, missed the goalmouth by a whisker as his volley went over the crossbar.
A few minutes later, Mhango was presented with other chance but his header was denied by the far post.
The second period proved to be a neutral affair as both sides struggled to outwit one another in the attacking third, as the match went straight into extra time.
Independent Media