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Cape Town 0 Bidvest Wits will return from their second successive trip to Polokwane with three points after overcoming Baroka FC 2-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Clever Boys were held 0-0 in the Limpopo province by Polokwane City last week, but this time around Gavin Hunt’s team secured all the points on offer thanks to a first-half goal from midfielder Thabang Monare and an injury-time strike by Cuthbert Malajila.
The result sees Wits join Orlando Pirates at the top of the log on seven points, with the Buccaneers held 0-0 at home by Cape Town City in a simultaneous match in Soweto.
As for Bakgaga, this is a second successive league loss after going down 2-1 at fellow promoted side Highlands Park last week.
Wits got off to a flying start in the match, earning an early penalty when Baroka goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke brought down Eleazar Rodgers in the 18-yard box.
The Clever Boys striker took the spot kick himself and saw his effort saved by Masuluke, only for Thabang Monare to score from the rebound to make it 1-0 to the visitors in the ninth minute.
Masuluke was called into action several times through the first half, most notably holding to an effort on target from Thulani Hlatshwayo after the bruising defender got on the end of a corner kick from Elias Pelembe.
The second half saw Wits continue to look stronger in attack and they missed out on several chances to extend their lead and effectively kill off the game, with goalkeeper Masuluke making a particularly fine save to deny substitute Sifiso Myeni in the 80th minute.
In the end, though, substitute Cuthbert Malajila scored in injury time to put some gloss on the score line for the Johannesburg side.
Both teams will be in PSL action again this coming weekend: Baroka will be away to Platinum Stars on Saturday afternoon, while Wits will welcome Orlando Pirates to Milpark in the evening of the same day.
Teams:
Baroka
O. Masuluke, C. Makgaka, M. Mothupa, L. Mapheto, M. Munetsi (J. Motshegwa 46’), S. Olaleng, S. Rethabile, S. Zikalala, S. Moeti (L. Simandla 34’), R. Matloga (S. Gwala 78’), N. Rabhulali
Wits
D. Keet, N. Allie, B. Khumalo, T. Hlatshwayo, S. Hlanti, E. Pelembe (W. Gome 90’), T. Monare, X. Mlambo, D. Klate, F. Mhango (S. Myeni 75’), E. Rodgers (C. Malajila 80’)
