EA LLA KOTO ADD TO WITS’ WOES
Free State Stars edged out BidVest Wits 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Bidvest Stadium on Friday night.
The victory takes Ea Lla Koto to second spot on the league standings, while the defending champion Clever Boys remain 16th on the log.
The Clever Boys were the better side in the opening stages of the game and they should have taken an early lead through Lehlohonolo Majoro.
Sifiso Myeni played a good cross into Ea Lla Koto box but Majoro could only succeed in heading the ball just over the crossbar six minutes into the encounter.
Stars goalkeeper Ali Badra Sangare was called into action in the 29th minute as the home side continued to search for the opening goal.
The Ivorian shot-stopper made a great save to deny Wits attacking midfielder Daylon Claasen following a good move by the hosts.
The deadlock was broken three minutes later and it was the visitors who took a surprise lead against the defending league champions.
Thamsanqa Teyise scored with a volley to make it 1-0 to Stars after Wits had failed to clear their lines following a corner-kick.
Former Ajax Cape Town playmaker Claasen was looking lively for the hosts and he forced Sangare into a good save a few minutes before the interval.
The score was 1-0 to Stars during the half-time break following a first-half which was dominated by Wits, but they failed to convert their chances.
With his side trailing 1-0, Wits head coach Gavin Hunt pulled out Thabang Monare and introduced Amr Gamal, who is a striker by trade, at start of the second-half.
The hosts continued to dominate the match in the second-half and they should have levelled matters on the hour-mark.
Majoro was sent through on goal with Daine Klate alongside him, but the two made a right mess of it as the chance went wasted with a shot off target.
The Clever Boys continued apply some pressure on the Ea Lla Koto defence with Vincent Pule forcing Sangare into a good save in the 76th minute.
Malawian forward Frank Mhango was introduced by Hunt in the closing stages, but Stars stood firm at the back and ultimately, they emerged 1-0 winners over Wits on the night.
Bidvest Wits (0) 0
Free State Stars (1) 1 (Teyise 32′)
BidVest Wits: Keet, Hlanti, Gyimah, Klate (Pule 68′), Monare (Gamal 46′), Mkhwanazi, Frosler, Khumalo, Claasen, Myeni (Mhango 86′) Majoro.
Free State Stars: Sangare, Tchilimbou (Dlamini 79′), Anas (Manqele 86′), Mobbie, Masehe, Mashego, Keita, Makhaula (Mahamutsa 77′), Teyise, Jantjie, Maphakisa.
