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Cape Town - Bidvest Wits beat Chippa United 1-0 in Port Elizabeth on Friday night to keep their Absa Premiership title hopes alive.
The victory sees Wits jump from third to second position on the log and still in with a chance of challenging Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns for the championship, while Chippa remain in the relegation zone on 24 points.
There were no goals in the first half, although the Clever Boys were unlucky not to open their account in the 15th minute when Chippa keeper Mbongeni Mzimela deflected Thulani Hlatshwayo's header onto the bar.
Thabo Rakhale also forced a save from Wits keeper Ricardo Goss shortly after, but there was precious little else to write home about for the remainder of the opening half.
The Chilli Boys very close to taking the lead in the 57th minute when Rakhale was set up by Mark Mayambela in front of goal, only for the winger to fire the ball just wide of the bottom corner.
That missed chance would end up costing Chippa dearly, as Namibian international Deon Hotto got ahead of his opposite man and headed home a cross from Gaspar Pelembe to hand Wits the lead 15 minutes from time.
Ruzaigh Gamildien nearly grabbed a share of the spoils late on when he directed a powerful free-kick goalwards, but Goss proved equal to the effort with a brilliant save to deny him and ensure that the Students left Port Elizabeth with all three points on the night.
