Johannesburg – If you asked Gavin Hunt which word in the dictionary he is most familiar with since he arrived to coach Bidvest Wits two years ago, he will probably tell you it’s “inconsistency”.
The only man who would be forgiven for not having that noun ringing ever so loud in his head is Serame Letsoaka, who was Hunt’s counterpart here on Saturday.
A vivid picture of just how the Clever Boys can blow hot and cold all at the same time did not exist in the record books or previous matches.
It was right here in Milpark during the 90 minutes – plus referee’s optional time – in an emphatic victory for the home side, who took advantage of a late red card to Arrows goalkeeper Maxamilian Mbaeva.
Wits went into this encounter clear at the top of the Absa Premiership table with three points, perhaps well aware that failing to win would result in them losing their position if Mamelodi Sundowns beat Free State Stars later yesterday.
The Clever Boys are clear favourites in this title race now, having showed how they can turn it on by coming from a goal down to score three beautiful goals to remain table toppers going into a three-week hiatus because of the Caf Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.
Hunt and his men were somewhat brought back to earth, Deon Hotto connecting with a timely Kuda Mahachi header to give Arrows a shock lead in the 52nd minute.
It wasn’t before the coach tweaked his strategy and later bringing on Maliele Pule for the ineffective Sibusiso Vilakazi that the Clever Boys appeared to have a goal in them.
And it arrived courtesy of young Phakamani Mahlambi, who had been busy all afternoon and was denied by Arrows ’keeper Mbaeva, before he was sent off for handling the ball outside his penalty box.
He was again trying to keep out Mahlambi’s effort to score.
As things were settling, and Wits clearly having the upper hand because of the equaliser, the visitors struck again.
It was a true gift of a goal after defender Siyabonga Nhlapo misjudged the timing of his clearance in the danger zone. His mishap made it easy pickings for Andile Fikizolo to lay the ball on to Mabhudi Khenyeza’s path to bag a second for the KwaZulu Natal side and hand them the lead for a second time in the match.
But Mbaeva’s red card turned this game on its head. From the resulting free-kick, Daine Klate wonderfully curled his shot past substitute goalie Ricardo Goss to level matters yet again.
Arrows were nervy, trying to hold on to a point away from home but allowed Wits to pile on the pressure. It came as no surprise when Klate, the Man of the Match, found another opening to win the game for Hunt and his men and confirm that Wits have what it takes to win the Premier League if they can keep their unwelcome friend “inconsistency” at bay.
What a roller-coaster this game was. But Hunt won’t care much until perhaps later when the team reflect.
lIn yesterday’s other early match, Polokwane City beat Platinum Stars 1-0.
Bidvest Stadium
Bidvest Wits (0) 3
Mahlambi 73, Klate 85, 86
Golden Arrows (0) 2
Hotto 52, Khenyeza 76
– THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT