JOHANNESBURG – Bidvest Wits went to the top of the Absa Premiership table here on Saturday night after beating Platinum Stars 2-0.
Phakamani Mahlambi and Daine Klate scored in the second period of the game, which gave the Clever Boys victory over the Rustenburg-based side.
As it stands, the Braamfontein outfit are on 41 points after 20 games, while Dikewena remain in eighth position after 21 matches.
Gavin Hunt made five changes to the starting line-up which played to a 0-0 draw against Al Ahly in the second leg of the Caf Champions League qualifier two weeks ago.
With just 10 more games to go, having won 12 and drawn five, 52-year old coach Hunt might be feeling confident that this could be his season.
The match kicked off at a blistering pace, with both sides creating scoring opportunities in the first three minutes.
Wits were the first ones to create a chance when Daine Klate laid off the ball to Gabadinho Mhango, who was unmarked inside the area.
At first, the pair interchanged passes to one another three times, each struggling to decide who should take the shot. Mahlambi had crossed it into the area from a corner.
It was Mhango, though, who finally decided to take that responsibility on his shoulders and struck shot towards goal, but he was denied by the keeper.
Moments later, Dikwena responded with an attacking move, but Bonginkosi Ntuli’s shot went disappointingly wide inside the 18-yard area.
The centre forward kept on pushing forward with the hope to give his side the lead going into the halftime break.
But it was not to be as he was adjudged offside twice, with each decision denying him two goals he could’ve scored before halftime.
Wits were also presented with another scoring chance later, but Klate went inches over the crossbar following a free kick he had taken outside the area.
In the second period, the Clever Boys played with more aggression and verve going forward with the hope of finding the back of the net early in the second.
And they did through their gifted pacy player Mahlambi.
The winger, who made his deputy appearance for Bafana Bafana against Angola this week, easily tapped in the rebound after Mhango’s header was deflected back into play by Mbongeni Mzimela.
With just five minutes to go, Wits were awarded a penalty after Thabang Monare was brought down inside the 18-yard area.
Referee Victor Gomez didn’t hesitate to give the spot-kick as Klate finished.