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Johannesburg - Bidvest Wits secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over title contenders Ajax Cape Town, in their Absa premiership match at the Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday.
Wits move up to 32 points while Ajax remain on 46 points with seven games remaining in the season.
Wits, who have been very strong at home this season, were reduced to 10 men in the 50th minute when Derrick Spencer was given his marching orders for a dangerous tackle.
Wits coach Roger De Sa was forced to change his game plan and ring the substitutes.
To their credit Wits did not sit back and try and defend their lead but kept trying to double their advantage.
'The Students' did just that in the 76th minute through midfielder Sifiso Myeni, and the title chasing Ajax weren't able to find a goal.
While Wits deserved their victory, the scoreline was flattering as it was a very tight encounter with Ajax mounting a fierce challenge.
In the early exchanges 'The Clever Boys' looked intimidated as Ajax piled on the pressure as they were very tight on defence.
Wits slowly built momentum and worked their way into the game and stretched the Ajax defence for the first time in the 17th minute. Myeni ran untouched down the left flank. He should have crossed with two men waiting in the middle but ended running the ball out of play for a goal kick.
Wits were close to opening the scoring again in the 25th minute. Defender Sipho Mngomezulu sent in a cross, Sifiso Myeni had a strong shot cleared by Ajax left back Clayton Daniels. Bhongolwethu Jayiya was able to fire another effort from the rebound but missed narrowly left of goal.
Wits began to create a number of opportunities and converted for the opening goal in the 42nd minute. They worked the ball quickly through the midfield, the final ball fell to striker Sifiso Vilakazi and he slotted past Ajax keeper, Hans Vonk, to make it 1-0 to Wits.
The best effort for Ajax came in first half injury time, and Wits were saved by the woodwork. A powerful strike by Thulani Serero gave Wits gloveman Darren Keet no chance, but the effort slammed into the posts as the home side went into the break with their advantage intact.
In the 50th minute Wits were dealt a blow when Spencer was red carded for a dangerous tackle on Lebogang Manyama and Wits were down to 10 men.
In the 73rd minute Wits could have killed off the game when they had two players clear of the Ajax defence in the penalty area. Wits were slow to shoot and Ajax cleared a very menacing move.
The winner came in the 76th minute through a Wits counterattack. Ajax lost the ball in the midfield and Sifiso Myeni made a superb run down the left side. He took the ball into the area and shot low past the left hand post and it was 2-0 to Wits.
