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Wits claim three points in Bfn

Bloemfontein - Bidvest Wits defeated Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 at the Free State Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Sunday to bounce back from their 3-0 midweek loss to Kaizer Chiefs.

The victory takes the Braamfontein-based club to position three on the log with 23 points while Siwelele are still placed at position 10.

An 84th minute goal by Ben Motshwari broke the ice for the visitors, he scored after beating Musa Bilankulu through pace leaving Patrick Tignyemb helpless and beaten hands down as he passed into the empty net.

The first half was packed with good football from both camps as the visitors had a free-kick as early as the 1st minute but Thulani Hlatshwayo blasted over.

In retaliation, Celtic broke on the left through Dhatelo Morena but his cross was blocked by Hlatshwayo.

In the 18th minute, Ben Motshwari’s effort went wide without troubling Tignyemb as Wits looked at keeping Celtic under pressure but the defence was too tight.

Probe for opener

After 30 minutes of play, Mukuka Mulenga hit the woodwork after beating Josephs, a rebound fell into Musa Nyatama’s path but he shot wide.

Towards the last five minutes of the first-half, both sides continued to probe for an opener but there were no signs of it coming, however, a great pass from Dumisani Zuma found Mulenga but the Wits defence stood firm.

Wits then pressed Siwelele and kept them in their own half, getting a corner but a chance to hit it by Motshwari went wide. A cross came in from Mkhwanazi, but Hlatshwayo’s shot went wide.

The Clever Boys nearly took the first-half lead when Henrico Botes hit the woodwork with Tignyemb beaten.

The second half began on a low note due to the scorching heat in Bloemfontein but Onismor Bhasera’s effort went wide after a great first touch.

Mulenga showed class when he took on Wits defence but lost the ball on the edge of the area.

With 10 minutes remaining, both sides were level in attack but their decision making in the box gave both coaches, Ernst Middendorp and Gavin Hunt, headaches.

Nevertheles, Motshwari broke the ice for the visitors as he scored after beating Musa Bilankulu through pace leaving Tignyemb helpless and beaten hands down as he passed into the empty net.

A few seconds later, Frank Mhango delivered a powerful shot from the right but Josephs safely held on.

With one minute left to go, Josephs saved from a close range free kick into the box by Vuyani Ntanga, he produced an outstanding reflex save as they safely claimed the three points.

Bloemfontein Celtic 0

Bidvest Wits (0) 1 (Motshwari 84’)

TEAMS

Celtic: Tignyemb, Fransman, Ndengane, Zuma (61’ Mhango), Buchanan (87’ Ntanga), Nyatama, Bilankulu, Cloete, Mulenga (78’ Maasdorp), Lamola, Morena

Wits: Josephs, Kwakman, Bhasera, Hlatshwayo, Ntshangase, Shongwe (72’ Zuke), Motshwari, Nhlapo, Mkhwanazi, Botes (86’ Ngcobo), Katongo (63’ Kebede).

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