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Johannesburg - Bidvest Wits have moved to second place on the Absa Premiership log after recording a 3-1 win over Free State Stars at Bidvest Stadium on Saturday.
Inspired by two goals from the returning Phakamani Mahlambi, the Clever Boys now trail leaders Cape Town City by just one point and have two games in hand.
Ea Lla Koto, meanwhile, drop to last place on the table as their goal difference is now worse than Baroka FC’s.
Wits claimed the lead in the 14th minute with the first clear chance of the game. Sifiso Myeni provided a good cutback from the right by-line and Frank Mhango’s low shot had just enough power behind it to get the better of goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni.
Just before the half hour mark Mhango had a great chance to double the hosts’ advantage, but faced one-on-one with the goalkeeper his attempted chip went just over the crossbar – much to the chagrin of coach Gavin Hunt.
A short while later the Clever Boys were gifted a penalty when Phakamani Mahlambi was clumsily brought down in the 18-yard area. The youngster dusted himself off and converted the spot kick to make it 2-0 in the 36th minute.
Yet Wits’ two-goal lead was short lived, with Stars’ in-form Thokozani Sekotlong scoring a superb solo goal which saw him run through the middle of the home side’s defence before coolly slotting the ball past Darren Keet in the 43rd minute.
The second half saw Stars looking to restore parity in the early minutes, but just after the hour mark the Clever Boys moved out to a 3-1 lead. Ngobeni did brilliantly to save an initial effort on goal, but Mahlambi reacted quickly to the rebound and scored with a low shot for his second of the night.
Things went from bad to worse for Stars when they were reduced to 10 men with just under a quarter hour of regulation time to play. Angelo Kerspuy was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card.
The Free State side also missed a penalty in the 84th minute, with Keet saving the spot kick from Moeketsi Sekola, as well as a follow-up effort from the same player, to ensure Wits closed out a 3-1 win.
Inspired by two goals from the returning Phakamani Mahlambi, the Clever Boys now trail leaders Cape Town City by just one point and have two games in hand.
Ea Lla Koto, meanwhile, drop to last place on the table as their goal difference is now worse than Baroka FC’s.
Wits claimed the lead in the 14th minute with the first clear chance of the game. Sifiso Myeni provided a good cutback from the right by-line and Frank Mhango’s low shot had just enough power behind it to get the better of goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni.
Just before the half hour mark Mhango had a great chance to double the hosts’ advantage, but faced one-on-one with the goalkeeper his attempted chip went just over the crossbar – much to the chagrin of coach Gavin Hunt.
A short while later the Clever Boys were gifted a penalty when Phakamani Mahlambi was clumsily brought down in the 18-yard area. The youngster dusted himself off and converted the spot kick to make it 2-0 in the 36th minute.
Yet Wits’ two-goal lead was short lived, with Stars’ in-form Thokozani Sekotlong scoring a superb solo goal which saw him run through the middle of the home side’s defence before coolly slotting the ball past Darren Keet in the 43rd minute.
The second half saw Stars looking to restore parity in the early minutes, but just after the hour mark the Clever Boys moved out to a 3-1 lead. Ngobeni did brilliantly to save an initial effort on goal, but Mahlambi reacted quickly to the rebound and scored with a low shot for his second of the night.
Things went from bad to worse for Stars when they were reduced to 10 men with just under a quarter hour of regulation time to play. Angelo Kerspuy was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card.
The Free State side also missed a penalty in the 84th minute, with Keet saving the spot kick from Moeketsi Sekola, as well as a follow-up effort from the same player, to ensure Wits closed out a 3-1 win.
