10-man Wits hold on to beat SuperSport

Cape Town - Bidvest Wits played the entire second-half with 10-men, but successfully held on to secure a narrow 1-0 win over Absa Premiership title rivals SuperSport United at Bidvest Stadium on Tuesday evening. 

Jabulani Shongwe scored the only goal of the game before Henrico Botes was sent for an early shower on the cusp of half-time. 

Despite their man disadvantage, the Clever Boys continued to create the better chances and were deserved winners on the night. 

Discounting Papy Faty's early attempt there nothing to write home about in the early exchanges, with the most exciting moment of play an off-the-ball scuffle which resulted in Michael Boxall and the Burundi international seeing yellow. 

While possession was equally shared between the two sides, Wits looked the more dangerous and Daine Klate was unlucky to lose his footing, having found space inside the area following a quick counter in the 19th minute. 

SuperSport were finding it hard to find a way past a stubborn Clever Boys defence, with Moeneeb Josephs untested in the opening half-hour. 

At the other end Thulani Hlatshwayo forced Ronwen Williams into an easy save in the 37th minute with the defender failing to conjure any power on the ball having found a pocket of space inside the area. 

Bidvest Wits, though, would be rewarded soon after with Shongwe opening the scoring on the night with 41 minutes on the clock. 

The Bafana Bafana midfielder has been keeping Sibusiso Vilakazi on the bench and having scored in the 1-0 win over AmaTuks, he showed the confidence of a man in-form - charging into the area before stepping past Bongani Khumalo and curling the ball into the back of the net. 

Having seen his side take the lead Gavin Hunt would've had his team talk worked out, but the former Matsatsantsa coach had to change his speech heading into the tunnel as Botes was sent off following a second bookable offence. 

Desperate times call for desperate measures - eager not to lose two games in succession against fellow title contenders, Gordon Igesund introduced both Kingston Nkhatha in quick succession as he searched for the equaliser. 

Still SuperSport struggled to create chances with Thuso Phala seeing his shot in the 71st minute fly just over before a superb bit of defending by Markus Lecki denied Jeremy Brockie a shot at goal with four minutes of regulation time remaining. 

The ball fell favourably for the New Zealand international inside the area, but the young defender was aware of the danger, to clear at Brockie's shoelaces.

The win moves Bidvest Wits top of the standings with four wins from five matches.