Johannesburg – Celebrating as if his side had lifted the league title, coach Clive Barker was delighted after his Wits outfit held Absa Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-1 draw at FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
While Amakhosi moved three points clear of Orlando Pirates, who held a game in hand at the top of the standings, the Students retained their place in the top halfof the table.
Barker, who guided Bafana Bafana to the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations crown, was on the edge of his seat in the dying stages of the game.
“In the first half we really saw how much we have improved. It was a terrific match and a fantastic turnaround,” Barker said.
“It felt like we won, and the last five minutes was the hardest I have ever endured. Even the Africa Cup of Nations was easier.”
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter was disappointed with his side, who gave fellow title contenders Pirates an opening to close the gap at the top of the log, despite their spirited performance to hold on for a point.
“We can't be satisfied with that performance,” Baxter said.
“We can be satisfied with the way we clawed our way back in the second half, and we can be satisfied with our attacking play, but we can't be satisfied with our all-round performance.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, league strugglers AmaZulu drew clear of the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory over Moroka Swallows in Dobsonville.
It was AmaZulu's fourth win of the campaign, while Swallows continued to flounder in the bottom half of the table.
“The first goal was soft and the second was even softer,” said Birds mentor Zeca Marques, lashing out after his side's poor attacking display.
“We have got to put tackles in and go for it.
“AmaZulu were not the better team tonight and we should have won.” Meanwhile, Golden Arrows secured a valuable three points after a battling 1-0 victory over high-flying Free State Stars in Umlazi, and Bloemfontein Celtic secured a 1-0 win over bottom feeders Chippa United in Botshabelo.
Stars and Celtic remained just out of touch of the main contenders in the league race, while Chippa continued to struggle in their maiden top-flight campaign, remaining rooted to the bottom of the log. – Sapa