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Wits unbeaten record ended

Johannesburg - Diyo Sibisi scored a goal six minutes from time to end BidVest Wits unbeaten home record when Maritzburg United beat them 2-1 in an Absa Premiership match at the Mbombela stadium on Wednesday evening.

The visiting side made their intentions clear early on, and were on the attack from the first whistle. With the blistering start from Maritzburg, Wits looked a little stunned and struggled to keep hold of the ball in the opening minutes.

United’s first attempt on goal came in the sixth minute when John Arwuah let fly with a powerful shot from roughly 25-yards out, but the Students’ keeper, Darren Keet, was alert to the danger and made a fine save diving to his right to tip the effort around the post.

Thereafter, both sides struggled to create chances in front of goal because of poor passes in the final third of the field.

That was until the 32nd minute when Nyiko Tshabangu should have given Wits the lead.

A good passing movement saw Tshabangu with the ball unmarked and 12-yards out from goal, but his shot lacked power and Shu-Aib Walters made a comfortable save.

Neither side were very impressive in the first half as they both gave possession away cheaply and struggled to create real goal scoring chances.

The second half saw Wits come out firing and almost take the lead four minutes into the half.

Sifiso Myeni pulled the best out of Walters when he tested him with a venomous shot from the edge of the 18-yard box. The 'keeper made a fine save, tipping the effort over the crossbar.

It was a chance Myeni would regret missing when his side went behind in the 67th minute.


Rudolph Bester picked up the ball for Maritzburg in the middle of the park and drove towards the Wits goal before letting fly with a shot that found the bottom right-hand corner of the net, 1-0.

Then, in the 75th minute Roger de Sa made an inspired substitution when he threw on Letsie Koapeng.

As soon as Koapneg stepped on the field he made the world of difference, and after only being on for four minutes he levelled matters for his team.

Another substitute, Enrico Adolph, set up the goal after some good work down the flank before he provided an inch perfect pass for Koapeng who was standing six-yards out from goal. The Wits player made no mistake with a clinical finish to level the scores, 1-1.

And just as Wits looked to have consolidated their unbeaten run at home, Diyo Sibisi had other ideas as he restored Maritzburg’s lead six minutes from time with a well-placed header, 2-1.

That is the way the match ended as United picked up the three points and Wits saw their unbeaten run at home come to an end.


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