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Cape Town - Bidvest Wits advanced to the first round of the CAF Champions League on Wednesday after they defeated Pamplemousses 2-1 on aggregate at the Anjalay Stadium in Belle Vue.
After winning the first leg of the preliminary-round encounter 2-0 in Johannesburg on February 10, Wits coach Gavin Hunt opted to field captain Thulani Hlatshwayo as well as the experienced Bongani Khumalo in defence, as Buhle Mkhwanazi and Keegan Ritchie were left out.
It appeared the Clever Boys were out to make the game very tight and congested without giving too much away in the early stages.
Meanwhile, Sifiso Myeni, who had come in for the injured Thabang Monare, always appeared threatening on the break as well.
Nonetheless, the Mauritian outfit put the cat among the pigeons when they scored the first goal through Kevin Perticots, meaning it required just a further strike to make the tie 2-2 on aggregate and sent it into extra time.
The Premiership champions had to endure some sticky periods in the final 20 minutes, however, they showed characteristic resolve to hang on and record the result needed to progress.
Wits next travel to Cape Town to face Benni McCarthy's Cape Town City in an Absa Premiership clash at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 18:00.
