Bidvest claim victory against Stellenbosch FC

by | Aug 29, 2019

Stellenbosch fails to keep up with Bidvest Wits

The starting squad for the Bidvest Wits team. Photo: Tumelo Modiba

The Clever Boys defeated Stellenbosch Football Club 2-1 at a home game during the ABSA Premier Soccer League on Wednesday, August 28.

Bidvest Wits’ Simon Murray and Stellenbosch FC’s Nyiko Mobbie collided 30 seconds after kick off, setting a gloomy fate for the first half.

As a result, Murray suffered a knee injury after Mobbie’s boot hit his knee, forcing him to sit out the rest of the match.

Wits coach, Gavin Hunt’s frustration at his team did not go unnoticed by the spectators when his team failed to secure goals. 

Bidvest Wits’ Haashim Domingo was given a yellow card ten minutes before the end of the first half after he collided with Stellenbosch’s Mark van Heerdan.

Two minutes was added to the match after a few injuries were experienced on both sides. The buzzer at half-time signalled a goalless first half.

The start of the second half saw another yellow card handed to Bidvest Wits, this time to midfielder Mxolisi Macuphu, who elbowed Stellenbosch FC’s Sibusiso Mthethwa in the eye.

Stellenbosch’s Mobbie felt the pain of the first half’s collision between Murray and was carried off by medics. Mobbie was replaced by Stellenbosch’s center back, Kristopher Bergman. 

After struggling to secure a goal, Bidvest Wits’ captain Thulani Hlatshwayo scored a goal for the home team at the 88th minute. However, the victory was short-lived by Hlatshwayo who ended up scoring an own goal, awarding Stellenbosch a draw.

After replacing Domingo, Bidvest Wits’ second striker Gift Motupa secured a goal for the team, putting the score at 2-1. Stellenbosch FC failed to net a goal as the final buzzer went off, leaving them defeated.

Coach Steven Barker of Stellenbosch FC said he was “disappointed to concede that late in the game” against Bidvest Wits.

“It was tough, because we fought hard and the players gave everything they could”, Barker added.

Barker told Wits Vuvuzela he is confident to play their next match on September, 15 after Mobbie’s injury during last night’s match.

“We are competitive against one of the better teams in the league, we’ve just got to have the belief that we can actually go on and win games,” he said.

Mogamad De Goede, a defender from Stellenbosch FC, told Wits Vuvuzela losing the match against Bidvest Wits was a tough pill to swallow.

“It’s hard to see that (loss) coming all the way from Cape Town to fight for at least three points. I think we threw it all away at the end,” said de Goede. 

Hunt said after Simon Murray’s injury, “I think he’s out, and we really do not have anybody. We play very well away from home. At home we are little bit anxious.”

Murray said this is the first injury he suffered during his whole football career. “I hope the injury is not too bad, so I can play the rest of the season,” he told Wits Vuvuzela.

Last night’s match awarded Bidvest Wits a second place standing on the log, moving them below Kaizer Chiefs.

The Clever Boys are set to play against Orlando Pirates at Bidvest Stadium on September 21.

FEATURED IMAGE: Bidvest Wits’ second striker Gift Motupa celebrates as he scores the winning goal. Photo: Tumelo Modiba

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