WITS ADD TO MARITZBURG WOES
Bidvest Wits beat relegation threatened Maritzburg United 1-0 in an enthralling Absa Premiership clash at Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday evening.
Lehlohonolo Majoro’s solitary second-half strike helped the Clever Boys back to winning ways and five points clear atop the log standings.
Arriving in Johannesburg in the driving rain, United would’ve hoped that with a new coach at the helm a change of fortunes would follow, but it was more of the same for the KwaZulu-Natal side who failed to add to their six league goals for the season.
The result leaves Maritzburg at the foot of the log standings, five points from safety.
The Team of Choice got off to a positive start with Yannick Zakri lively from the onset. The Ivorian forward skipped past Thulani Hlatshwayo before firing an attempt straight at Darren Keet in the fourth minute for the first shot on target of the clash.
Bidvest Wits found their groove soon after and went within inches of opening the scoring five minutes later. Deon Hotto’s devilish free-kick had the beating of everyone, but Richard Ofori who diverted the ball onto the woodwork and out of danger.
Chances continued to come at either end of the pitch with both teams showcasing their intent – almost desperation – to get all three points, albeit for entirely different reasons.
Ofori had to be at his best once more to keep the scores level on the cusp of halftime. The goal-minder getting down well to keep Siyanda Xulu’s attempted clearance from entering the net.
The Maritzburg goalkeeper just got better as the night progressed – almost single handedly keeping the visitors in the game and the Ghanian shot-stopper had to be alert once more to keep out Hotto’s rasping effort in the 74th minute.
Ofori, though, followed all his good work with a moment of madness as he rushed off his line to try and intercept a through ball only to be beaten to the post by Majoro, who skipped past the goalkeeper before firing home from an acute angle in the 79th minute.
Majoro was handed an opportunity to complete his brace 10 minutes later following a hand ball from Rushine de Reuck, but Ofori made some amends for his earlier error with a great save to deny the forward.
Maritzburg duly pushed forward in search of the equaliser in the dying stages of the clash, but it was not to be as their woes continue to mount.
Bidveswt Wits (0) 1 (Majoro 79′)
Maritzburg United (0)
TEAMS:
Bidvest Wits: Keet; Hlatshwayo, Nonyane, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti, Alexander, Monare, Dzvukamanja (Claasen 78′), Hotto, Mhango (Pelembe 46′), Murray (Majoro 64′).
Maritzburg United: Ofori; Kunene, Xulu, De Reuck, Onyango, Matsi (Timm 76′), Makaringe (Fileccia 83′), Mokate, Ndlovu, Figareido (Sanoka 62′), Zakri.
