Bidvest Wits..................... (1) 2
Pelembe 41, Mkhwanazi 68
Highlands Park................. (1)2
Khuboni 24, Mvala
Bidvest Stadium - The Clever Boys retained their top of the table spot following their draw against Highlands Park on Wednesday night.
They are now on equal on 19 points with Cape Town City after eight league matches with a better goal difference.
Just an hour before leading up to this match, rain poured heavily on the pitch as both side made preparations to come out for their warm-up sessions. The paramedics who were sitting on the sidelines, were forced to pull out their umbrellas for some sought after protection from the rain. The DJ, who was entertaining the crowd with her music, was also forced to switch off her speakers as she covered her equipment from the down pouring rain. Tapuwa Kapini, who’s the Lions of the North shot-stopper, has been lacking some kind of protection from his own teammates in defence in their last four league games.
The veteran shot-stopper has conceded six league goals, excluding the one he concede on Wednesday night in the first half, which saw them failing to produce their first league win since Gordon Igesund took over at the club.
In this encounter though, his defence tried really hard to protect him against a Wits side who worked tirelessly in search for an early opener in the first few minutes of the game. They gave them less breathing space to manoeuvre in the defensive third. Gabadinho Mhango and co huffed and puffed in search of breaking their walls down but the Lions of the North remained resolute.
In the 22nd minute, the Clever Boys were award a set piece outside the box but failed to make use of the chance. Mogakolodi Ngele struck a screamer of a shot which went horribly off target. It was no were near the goalmouth. It went flying over the crossbar.
Two minutes later, Highlands Park responded with an attacking move of their own which force Wits to commit an unnecessary foul inside the 18 yard area. Thanduyise Khuboni stepped up to take the awarded penalty spot kick and converted the chance, sending Daren Keet the opposite direction.
The Lions of the North could have made 2-1 before the break, following Elias Pelembe sitter of an equaliser for Wits later on in the first half, when Collins Mbesuma unleashed a powerful shot outside the box to test Keet between the sticks. The veteran striker, however, was denied by the woodwork.
Sfiso Hlanti was given marching orders just two minutes before the break, following a dangerous tackle he made on Edwin Sitayitayi on the edge of the box. The visiting side, however, failed to make use of that chance as Khuboni’s poor attempt goal was cleared off by the opposition’s wall.
In the second period, Igesund brought in Marlon Heugh for Kapini who got a knock in early on in the first period. Wits pounced on the opportunity and scored their second of the night, following a scrabble inside the box. And just when Wits thought the collect maximum points in this clash, Mothobi Mvala forced a late equaliser which left Wits fans livid with frustration and disappointment.
@extrastrongsa
Independent Media