Publications
Partners
Wits defender Buhle Mkhwanazi heaped praise on his teammates for showing
tremendous resolve after they edged Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 with a late
goal on Sunday.
ALSO READ: Wits claim three points in Bfn.
A last gasp strike by Ben Motshwari secured maximum points for the Clever Boys at the Free State Stadium.
"It was a great win for us after we fought for so long to break them down and never gave up," Mkhwanazi said.
"It took a lot of courage for us as a team to play on until the final whistle and eventually get the three points."
The versatile defensive linchpin said narrow wins were important as they built character.
"As a team we've got to be able to grind out the results. Especially when we are playing against tough opposition, we need to be able to score that crucial goal that makes all the difference."
Motshwari punished the Celtic defence for a crucial mistake in the 85th minute to snatch all the points in the encounter for Gavin Hunt's men.
The Clever Boys have unassumingly gone about their business of keeping up with the front runners in the title chase.
Wits are third on the table, tied on points with Mamelodi Sundowns in second, on 23 points.
Although Kaizer Chiefs are cruising comfortably with 36 points, Mkhwanazi said it was vital they did not throw-in the towel and simply hand the championship to the Amakhosi.
"Even though Chiefs have been doing very well we cannot make it easy on them. We can't just decide to forfeit this and wait for another season just because Chiefs has been on a good run."
Log leading Chiefs have been in stupendous form this season – yet to be defeated in the league with 11 wins and three draws.
Come April though, Mkhwanazi believed Chiefs' current 13 point advantage could shrink considerably.
"It's not yet over. I think this is something that cannot continue forever. At some stage or other, the points difference will be smaller and some teams will be in with a chance."
Mkhwanazi hailed the quality in the Wits squad which was often overlooked.
"I think we have a strong team. We have talented players that can compete with the best out there," he said.
Coach Gavin Hunt was also key in providing the team with mental toughness, he said.
"The coach demands a lot from us as players. He expects a lot which pushes us to be better and constantly be improving."
With the title race near the halfway mark, Wits will be looking to spend Christmas on a high.
On Wednesday they travel to the Mother City to take on Ajax Cape Town.
Celtic would have an opportunity at home to rectify their mistakes against Moroka Swallows on Sunday.
