Wits’ stuttering start continues

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Sep 13, 2017. 21:27

Bidvest Wits’ stuttering start to the 2017/18 season continued on Wednesday night when they were beaten 3-1 by visitors Golden Arrows at the Bidvest Stadium.

The Absa Premiership champions have yet to win a match outright this season, and despite a league debut goal from Amr Gamal they succumbed to an Abafana Bes’thende team which had more power, speed and hunger for the three points.

Arrows had a strong shout for a penalty as early as the third minute when the speedy Kudakwashe Mahachi tore open Wits’ defence before tumbling under a challenge from Ben Motshwari, but the referee ignored their appeals.

That incident set the tone for a fast-paced, end-to-end first half in which the teams traded scoring chances - and some robust challenges.

The hosts should have claimed the lead in the 24th minute when Amr Gamal took advantage of mistake from Limbikani Mzava to tee up strike partner Frank Mhango, but the Malawian fluffed his chance and failed to test goalkeeper Nkosingiphile Gumede.

Arrows always looked dangerous due to their pace and power, and on 33 minutes Siphelele Magubane showed plenty of both to get the better of Siphelele Ntshangase down the left before handing Lerato Lamola a tap-in to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Just four minutes later the Clever Boys almost equalised, with Mhango denied by a superb save from Gumede, but the keeper was beaten less than 60 seconds later as Gamal turned the ball home from close range after great set-up work by his fellow forward, 1-1.

Wits coach Gavin Hunt opted for a double change at the start of the second half, sending on veteran Nazeer Allie and the mobile, attack-minded Kobamelo Kodisang.

The latter was at fault in the 55th minute when Arrows reclaimed the lead - Kodisang gave the ball away near the halfway line and allowed the visitors to surge forward on a counter attack which ended with Zolani Nkombelo firing a left-footed effort into the roof of the net to make it 2-1.

The hosts should have levelled up in the 73rd minute when a lofted cross from Allie found its way to the unmarked Gamal at the far post, but the Egyptian scooped his shot high over the target.

Six minutes later substitute Eleazar Rodgers had a free header after another fine cross - this time by Daylon Claasen - but his weak effort was easily saved by Gumede.

The missed chances came back to haunt Wits, who conceded a third goal in added time to substitute Nduduzo Sibiya, who superbly finished a great pass from Mahachi to wrap up the scoring at 3-1.

Bidvest Wits (1) 1 (Gamal 38’)
Golden Arrows (1) 3 (Lamola 33’, Nkombelo 55’, Sibiya 90+1’)

Wits: Josephs, Frosler (Kodisang 46’), Hlatshwayo, Damjanovic, Thlone, Claasen, Mlambo (Allie 46’), Ntshangase, Motshwari, Mhango (Rodgers 70’), Gamal

Arrows: Gumede, Mzava, Bilankulu, S. Dube, Mngwengwe, Nkombelo, Shongwe (Sibiya 68’), Magubane, Jooste (N. Cele 67’), Mahachi, Lamola (Mutizwa 81’)