Bidvest Wits was hopeful they would be climbing up to the top position but fortune favoured the Buccaneers.
Bidvest Wits missed an opportunity to leave with a draw, when they scored an own-goal handing Orlando Pirates a win on Saturday April 6, at Bidvest Wits Stadium in Braamfontein.
The team was hoping to redeem themselves by scrambling back to the top of the Premier Soccer League log, after being defeated by Bloem Celtic last weekend.
The Clever Boys started off on an advantage, with the first chance going to Keagan Ritchie within the opening five minutes but the execution was lacking.
With crowd in a jovial mood, Wits’ second chance at goal came in the 15th minute through Malawian international, Gift Motupa. But it was yet another missed opportunity as Motupa collided with Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands.
The Bucaneers grew more confident as the game progressed and were awarded a free-kick on the half-hour that appeared to be the first goal of the match but that did not happen.
Another chance came for Pirates with the halftime break approaching when Thamsanqa Gabuza missed the target with a low shot from inside the box. Wits and Pirates remained at 0-0 at the interval.
In the second-half of the match, Wits coach Gavin Hunt brought in midfielder, Deon Hotto.
Both teams went on the offensive in the dying minutes of the game but Wits’ fate was sealed with an own-goal by Ritchie off Memela’s free kick.
Orlando Pirates fans came in their numbers to Braamfontein show their support for the Buccaneers whose victory took the team to the top of the league standings, leaving Wits in third position.
Bidvest Wits will play their next game against Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on April 12.
FEATURED IMAGE: Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt. Photo: File.
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