Bidvest Wits got back to winning ways in the Absa Premiership with a 2-0 triumph over 10-man Cape Town City at Dobsonville Stadium.
The Clever Boys made only two changes from their draw with Mamelodi Sundowns, as Terrence Dzvukamanja and Sameehg Doutie came in for Elias Pelembe and Haashim Domingo, while the Citizens brought in goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh, Craig Martin, Chris David and Siphelele Mthembu.
Jan Olde Riekerink’s charges were aggressive in the opening exchanges as they wen in search of an early goal, but it was Wits who drew first blood in the 27th minute thanks to a first-time strike from Dzvukamanja that sailed into far corner.
The hosts were finding joy going forward after that and they came very close to doubling their lead just before the break, as Gift Motupa’s shot at the near post was kept out by Leeuwenburgh while Thulani Hlatshwayo’s header missed the bottom corner by a whisker.
However, Gavin Hunt’s troops gained the further advantage with four minutes remaining of the first stanza, as Ebrahim Seedat was sent off after receiving his second booking for a high tackle that caught Dzvukamanja’s head.
Speedy forward Riyaad Norodien replaced Mthembu to take the game to the Clever Boys at the start of the second half and the former had a clear chance ten minutes into the second stanza but could not beat Wits shot-stopper Ricardo Goss in a one-on-one situation.
The Citizens were made to rue that miss as Hlatshwayo doubled the Clever Boys’ advantage four minutes before the hour-mark with a glancing header at the near post from Doutie’s corner.
Riekerink’s troops were unlucky not to pull a goal back in the 61st minute after Shane Roberts cracked the far post with a smashing strike from a tight angle inside the box after he was set up by Bradley Ralani.
The Dutch mentor made a double change with a quarter of an hour remaining, as defender Zukile Kewuti and Mark Mayambela replaced striker Roberts and David in the hope of spark upfront.
However, the Clever Boys were able to see out the remaining stages with relative ease to cement fourth in the standings.
You might also like – Mikel Arteta appointed new Arsenal manager
Mikel Arteta appointed new Arsenal manager. The former Gunners midfielder moves back to the Emirates Stadium following three-and-a-half years working as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, taking up his first role as a No.1. Mikel Arteta has been appointed as the new Arsenal manager, a year-and-a-half after first missing out on the role.
Arsenal’s board identified Arteta as their first-choice to replace Unai Emery, who was sacked at the end of November following a poor start to the season, mounting fan unrest and the belief that he had lost the confidence of the players in the dressing room. Arteta had come close to taking the job when Emery was appointed, but the Gunners went with the more experienced man. read more
Source – SoccerLaduma
