Wits edge unlucky AmaZulu

by Staff Reporter

Friday Aug 21, 2020. 17:41

Bidvest Wits defeated AmaZulu FC 2-1 in an Absa Premiership match at the FNB Stadium on Friday afternoon.

As a result, Usuthu remained 15th on the league standings, while the Clever Boys climbed up to the fourth spot on the table.

Usuthu threatened first six minutes into the game when Tapiwa Chawaphiwa whipped a ball across the goalmouth, but the oncoming Bonginkosi Ntuli could not get there in time to tap it in.

The visitors were determined to break the deadlock as they were constantly pushing forward and they were presented with a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 18th minute.

Wits goalkeeper Ricardo Goss out of his area and gave out possession as the ball landed on Sphesihle Maduna’s feet.

However, the South Africa youth international’s effort was blocked by Lorenzo Gordinho and match referee ignored massive protests for handball on the edge of Wits’ box.

The Clever Boys found it difficult to unlock the Usuthu defence which was marshalled by former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs central defender Mario Booysen.

Both teams struggled to create goalscoring opportunities as they were giving away possession cheaply in the final third with the half-time break fast approaching.

The score was 0-0 at the interval following a first-half which was slightly dominated by AmaZulu.

The Clever Boys came back rejuvenated following their half-time team talk with coach Gavin Hunt and they started creating chances as they searched for the opening goal.

Cole Alexander found some space on the edge of the AmaZulu and he unleashed a long-range shot which was finger-tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Siyangabonga Mbatha in the 52nd minute.

The deadlock was finally broken two minutes before the hour-mark when Usuthu failed to deal with Zitha Macheke’s cross and 19-year-old Rowan Human netted his maiden professional goal to make it 1-0 to Wits.

Hunt then introduced Deon Hotto, who made an immediate impact as he netted to make it 2-0 to Wits after being set-up by Phathutshedzo Nange in the 70th minute.

Coach Ayanda Dlamini reacted by introducing Sibusiso Magaqa and Andre De Jong as the away side looked to grab a least two late goals to ensure that the game ended in a draw.

The visitors did manage to pull one back with three minutes left through Lehlonolono Majoro, who controlled the ball well before firing past Goss to make it 2-1 – netting against his former side in the process.

However, Wits stood firm at the back in the remaining minutes of the match and ultimately, they ran out 2-1 winners over AmaZulu.

Wits (0) 2 (Human 58′, Hotto 70′)

AmaZulu (0) 1 (Majoro 87′)

Wits: Goss, Hlatshwayo, Monare, Hlanti, Nange (Doute 82′), Alexander, Eva Nga (Dzvukamanja 46′), Macheke, Gordinho, Human (Mathebula 90’+2), Sekgota (Hotto 69′)

AmaZulu: Mbatha, Gumede, Masilela, Booysen, Xoki, Sithebe (Magaqa 80′), Darpoh, Maduna (Majoro 63′), Magubane, Chawapiwa (Ncobeni 72′), Ntuli (De Jong 80′).