Usuthu lose to Wits in Johannesburg

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Aug 29, 2018. 21:41

Bidvest Wits overcame AmaZulu FC 3-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday.

As a result, the Clever Boys maintained their lead at the top of the league standings, while Usuthu moved down to fifth place on the table.

It took only four minutes for the Clever Boys to break the deadlock through their new forward Gift Motupa.

Thabang Monare set up the former Chippa United attacker, who beat AmaZulu goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs with a header to make it 1-0 to Wits.

The hosts were dominating possession and they nearly doubled their lead in the 19th minute through Mxolisi Macuphu.

The former Jomo Cosmos forward was sent through on goal, but he placed his effort wide of the target.

It was soon 2-0 to Wits following a good move involving the club's new signings Deon Hotto and Macuphu in the 28th minute.

Hotto made a good run, before setting-up Macuphu, who beat former Wits keeper Josephs in a one-on-one situation to make it 2-0 to the hosts.

AmaZulu nearly responded with a goal as Mabhuti Khenyeza's effort was brilliantly saved by Darren Keet in Wits goal in the 31st minute.

Macuphu had two chances to extend Wits' lead just for the half-time break, but the forward failed to convert them.

Wits were leading 2-0 at half-time following an enthralling first-half in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

Usuthu began the second-half well and they were unfortunate not to pull one back through Siyethemba Sithebe six minutes after the restart.

The attacking midfielder unleashed a shot which hit the woodwork with a well-taken strike with South Africa international Keet well-beaten.

The visitors continued to push for their first goal and Jabulani Ncobeni missed the target from a free-kick in a promising area on the hour mark.

However, the hosts managed to extend their lead through their second-half substitute Simon Murray with 16 minutes left on the clock.

The Scottish forward beat Josephs with a good finish to make it 3-0 to Wits following a good move by the home side.

AmaZulu pushed for a late consolation goal in the latter stages of the game following the introduction of Somila Ntsundwana.

However, Wits stood firm at the back and ultimately, they ran out 3-0 winners on the night.

Wits (2) 3 (Motupa 4', Macuphu 28', Murray 74')
AmaZulu 0

Wits: Keet, Hlatshwayo, Johannes, Monare, Hotto, Hlanti, Mkhwanazi, Alexander, Domingo (Pelembe 81'), Motupa (Weidlich 65'), Macuphu (Murray 63').

AmaZulu: Josephs, Sikhakhane, Mabiliso, Nyongo, M Gumede, Ncube (Cele 67'), Vilakazi, Sithebe, Ncobeni (Ntsundwana 78'), Tade (Ramphele 56'), Khenyeza.