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Johannesburg - Phakamani Mahlambi and Daine Klate were on target to send Bidvest Wits top of the Premiership standings with their 2-0 win over Platinum Stars at Bidvest Stadium on Saturday evening.
Mahlambi broke the deadlock in a cagey affair when he
converted in the 58th minute from a Gabadinho Mhango delivery before Klate
netted from the penalty spot late on - to consign Stars to their eighth defeat
of the season and hand the Clever Boys a well-deserved victory.
The opening quarter was fiercely contested with both sides
failing to test the opposition goalkeepers.
Stars looked to have taken the lead after 27 minutes when
Bongi Ntuli put the ball in the back of the net, although the celebrations
proved to be premature as the linesman had flagged for offsides.
Klate then went close just before the break, with his free-kick going just inches over the bar.
The two teams went into the interval at 0-0, but with plenty
of promise of a goal in the second period.
Mabena wasted a glorious chance to give Stars the lead three
minutes after the restart, as he somehow managed to put his effort wide after
staring at an open goal following a lightning-quick counter.
Mhango again tried his luck with 10 minutes gone in the
second-half but once more he was unable to test the goalkeeper as he dragged
his shot past the right-hand post.
Just three minutes later and Stars were made to pay for
their wastefulness.
Finally, a dour game was brought to life when Mahlambi gave
the Clever Boys the lead in the 58th minute after keeper Mzimela could only
parry Mhango's effort into the youngster's path.
Bongi Ntuli had a good opportunity for Dikwena in the 77th
minute but his shot went narrowly wide of the target.
Sphamandla Mlilo then gave away a penalty for an unfair
challenge on Thabang Monare. Wits dead-ball specialist Klate scored from the
spot, on 87 minutes, to hand his team a 2-0 lead and secure the three points
for the Johannesburg-based side.
The result saw the Students leapfrog Cape Town City and take top spot on the Premiership table.
