WITS BEAT CHIPPA TO CEMENT TOP SPOT
Bidvest Wits secured a 2-0 victory over Chippa United in an Absa Premiership match at the Bidvest Stadium on Friday night.
The victory saw the Clever Boys extend their lead at the top of the league standings, while the Chilli Boys remained 14th on the table. The Clever Boys were the better side in the opening stages of the game with Lehlohonolo Majoro looking lively for the hosts upfront.
Majoro came close to scoring when his effort was blocked and Chippa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi gathered the ball six minutes into the game. The hosts piled pressure on the Chilli Boys defence and they were awarded a penalty after Terrence Dzvukamanja was fouled by Zitha Macheke in the box.
Majoro then stepped up and he was denied by Akpeyi from the spot-kick, but the former scored from the rebound to make it 1-0 to Wits in the 29th minute. The former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates forward was keeping the visitors’ defence busy and in the 38th minute, he forced Akpeyi into a low save at the near-post.
Wits continued to push for their second goal with the half-time break fast approaching. However, the Chippa defence, which was marshalled by Thabo Nthethe, was able to contain Wits and the score was 1-0 to the home side at the interval.
The Clever Boys continued their dominance over the Chilli Boys after the restart and Akpeyi had to pull off a great save to deny Deon Hotto in the 55th minute. Wits were then awarded a free-kick in a promising area six minutes later and they had an opportunity to double their lead.
Thabang Monare then stepped up and beat Akpeyi from the set-piece to make it 2-0 to the hosts, much to the delight of the home crowd. Chippa pushed for a late consolation goal in the closing stages of the encounter with interim coach Joel Masutha having introduced attackers Kurt Lentjies and Daine Klate.
However, the Chilli Boys were left vulnerable at the back and Akpeyi had to produce a great save to deny Elias Pelembe with eight minutes left on the clock. Ultimately, Wits emerged 2-0 winners over Chippa on the night after containing the visitors in the latter stages of the game.
Wits (1) 2 (Majoro 29′, Monare 62′) Chippa 0Wits Keet, Mere, Mkhwanazi, Johannes, Hlanti, Alexander (Domingo 87′), Monare, Pelembe, Hotto (Claasen 80′), Dzvukamanja, Majoro (Murray 76′).Chippa: Akpeyi, Macheke, Nsabiyumva, Nthethe (Shongwe 68′), Tlolane, Mokeke, Sangweni, Rakhale, Mayambela (Klate 83′), Manzini, Mbenyane (Lentjies 62′).
