Johannesburg - "I need a cold beer," said coach Gavin Hunt after his Wits team scraped a 1-0 home win over Maritzburg United on Sunday to retain a three-point Absa Premiership lead.
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns triumphed 2-0 at Orlando Pirates to remain hot on the heels of the table toppers with three rounds remaining.
Hunt cut a weary figure after his team won 1-0 at home for the third time in seven days as they seek a first league title.
"We were poor today," he confessed.
"The legs of my players have gone. I told them at half-time that a set-piece would decide the game."
Hunt was proved right as a Phumlani Ntshangase header from a free-kick left Namibia goalkeeper Virgil Vries stranded on 56 minutes.
"It was not pretty football, but what can I expect from my team after so many matches in the past eight weeks. I need a cold beer," added Hunt.
After winning three consecutive Premiership titles with SuperSport United, Hunt has finished third twice then second in three previous seasons at Wits.
Goals from Zimbabwean Khama Billiat and Ivorian Yannick Zakri and several reflex saves from Ugandan Denis Onyango ensured Sundowns left Soweto with maximum points.
Billiat struck midway through the opening half with a looping header and Zakri doubled the lead three minutes into the second half through a close-range shot.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane hailed man-of-the-match award winner Themba Zwane, calling the performance of the midfielder "unbelievable".
"Pirates troubled us during the first half with long balls, but we took our chances and deserved to win.
"I am not worried about Wits - my goal is to win our last three matches and hope for the best," said the coach.
Bottom club Highlands Park sank deeper into trouble after an 89th-minute header from Malawian Robert Ng'ambi condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at Platinum Stars.