Wits outwit faltering Leopards

by BackPageTXT

Wednesday Apr 24, 2019. 22:09

Bidvest Wits kept their Absa Premiership hopes alive with a 3-1 win over Black Leopards at Bidvest Stadium in Braamfontein on Wednesday evening.

Victory moves Wits up to 47 points for the season, six behind log leaders Orlando Pirates who have played a game more. Defeat leaves Leopards in 13th place, two points clear of the relegation zone.

After Mwape Musonda missed an early penalty for the visitors, Simon Murray made no such mistake from the spot in the 28th minute to give the Clever Boys the lead.

Deon Hotto doubled the hosts lead mere seconds later, nodding home Thulani Hlatshwayo's pin-point cross from close range.

Musonda would do better from the spot at the second time of asking following a foul by Hotto in the 38th minute. The Zambian firing home from 12 yards for his 14th goal of the league season.

Marks Munyai came within inches of drawing the teams level on the cusp of half-time as the defender fired his curling free-kick onto the woodwork.

With, though, would seal all three points in the 73rd minute as Elias Pelembe pounced on a mistake by King Ndlovu to restore the Clever Boys lead and duly keep their title hopes alive.

Bidvest Wits (2) 3 (Murray 28' [P], Hotto 29' Pelembe 73')
Black Leopards (1) 1 (Musonda 38' [P])

Bidvest Wits: Goss; Hlatshwayo, Nonyane, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti, Hotto, Monare, Alexander, Pelembe, Motupa (Lakay 71' [Mhango 80']), Murray (Domingo 64').

Black Leopards: Ndlovu; Munyai, Katjiukua, Munganga, Zulu, Mudau (Hlongwane 66'), Masalesa, Mokoena (Kapinga 74'), Mahangwahaya, Tshepe (Ndlovu 83'), Musonda.