Wits looking to bounce back

by Staff Reporter

Monday Aug 27, 2018. 10:42

Bidvest Wits will look to bounce back from Absa Premiership defeat when they host AmaZulu at Bidvest Stadium on 29 August 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

Wits, having claimed three successive wins at the start of the season, suffered their first loss when they were beaten 1-0 at home by SuperSport United on August 18.

The Clever Boys have claimed three points from their two home matches so far in 2018/19, and manager Gavin Hunt will hope for a return to the form which brought them a 3-0 win over Free State Stars as hosts on the opening weekend of the season.

AmaZulu picked up a second win from their first three league matches when they defeated Free State Stars 2-1 at home on August 19. The Durban side scored the decisive goal late in the game through Mhlengi Cele.

Usuthu’s only away game so far this season brought them a 1-0 defeat at the hands of SuperSport United on August 8.

In head-to-head stats, AmaZulu and Wits have met in 55 league matches since 1985. The Clever Boys have claimed 21 wins compared to 14 for Usuthu, while 20 matches have been drawn. The Johannesburg side has won 15 of 28 home matches against their Durban counterparts, suffering five defeats in the process.

Last season AmaZulu claimed an emphatic 3-0 home win over Wits in the first half of the season, but the return game in Johannesburg saw the Clever Boys triumph 3-2 thanks to goals from Daine Klate, Eleazar Rodgers and Ben Motshwari – none of whom remain at the club.

Wits’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to SuperSport on August 18: Keet, Hlatshwayo, Johannes, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti, Dzvukamanja (Murray 83’), Monare, Alexander, Hotto (Mzwakali 46’), Domingo (Mhango 75’), Machupu.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 2-1 win over Stars on August 19: Josephs, Sikhakhane, Mabiliso, Nyongo, M. Gumede, Ncube, Vilakazi, Ramphela (Ntsundwana 73’), Ncobeni (Sithebe 75’), Tade (Cele 85’), Khenyeza.