by Luca Kotton | Apr 25, 2014 | Sport
WEDNESDAY night’s at home draw with Kaizer Chiefs was a fair reflection of the Clever Boys frustrating, score-scarce season.
While the match was packed with drama, none of the excitement resulted in any goals, leaving Bidvest Wits to continue their seven-match unbeaten run of which three were goalless draws.
The draws have resulted in the Clever Boys falling short of their main rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.
“We should have won the league this year, we have drawn five games like this at home when we should have won all of them comfortably,” Clever Boys coach Gavin Hunt said.
STALEMATE: Bidvest Wits and Kaizer Chiefs play out to a 0-0 draw, denting both their title hopes. Photo:Nqobile Dludla
Wednesday’s match saw an exciting first half with poor finishing being the only downfall for the Clever boys.
The second half saw both teams hit the woodwork, with both goalkeepers pulling off good quality saves.
The PSL League Title
A win for Wits would have surely handed Sundowns the Premier Soccer League title, but Mamelodi fans were still feeling good with the draw denting Kaizer Chiefs title hopes.
The Clever Boys have all but secured third position in the league with their nearest contenders SuperSport United languishing eleven points behind after their 0-1 defeat to bottom-of-the-log Golden Arrows.
The Clever Boys move their attention
The Clever Boys’ attention will now move to their semi-final clash for the Nedbank Cup on May 3 where they will again face Kaizer Chiefs. They will be looking for revenge after their disappointing league outing as well as a pay-out of at least R7-million for the cup winners. The home ground advantage for the Clever Boys may be a telling factor.
A Nedbank Cup victory would mean a lot to Hunt, who will be marking his one-year anniversary at the club next month. He said Wednesday’s match couldn’t be compared to the coming Nedbank Cup clash as they were completely different.
A new look team
Hunt has come to the Clever Boys and changed their style of playing drastically with some pleasing results. The team is on track to improve its log position from last season, where it placed fourth, by a slim margin.
This season has seen Bidvest Wits make big strides in their conquest to become the best team in South Africa with the likes of S’thembiso Ngcobo arriving from Kaizer Chiefs and Jabulani Shongwe arriving from Sundowns in the January transfer window.
The arrival of Hunt and the new players could put the team in a completely different position and next season could see the Clever Boys win their first PSL title.
“You will always aim to do better than last season, next season we going to go out for it and make sure we win something,” said Clever Boys left back Onismor Bhasera.
Wits will finish the season with three matches in the PSL against Maritzburg United, Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic, on top of their Nedbank Cup duties.
luca@witsvuvuzela.com
by Percy Matshoba | Apr 24, 2014 | Sport
Matome Kadi, Bidvest Wits striker, runs down the line in an eventful 0-0 draw with Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Luca Kotton
Bidvest Wits showed impressive form last night, keeping the visitors Kaizer Chiefs away from a victory they so desperately wanted.
The Clever Boys drew 0-0 in the Absa Premier League match against AmaKhosi at the Bidvest Wits Stadium, last night.
The Clever Boys supporters jumped for joy 61 minutes into the game when Sithembiso Ngcobo’s finish from Sibusiso Vilakazi resulted in what seemed to be a goal, but this joy was short-lived, as the goal was ruled out for an offside. This highlight of the match summed up the dominance of ball possession by Bidvest Wits.
The first 10 minutes of the game consisted of many goal attempts by both teams and one free kick for the Clever Boys. Chiefs striker, Simphiwe Tshabalala crossed and missed yet another chance to bring victory to Amakhosi.
Shortly after, Amos Ngcobo almost hit the target for the Clever Boys but this was met by a good save by Amakhosi captain, Itumeleng Khune.
[pullquote] “The Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits fans set the tone for the game from the start, with the Bidvest Wits band leading vibrant songs of encouragement from the sidelines and the sound of vuvuzelas blasting from both the blue and gold bloods. “[/pullquote]
The Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits fans set the tone for the game from the start, with the Bidvest Wits band leading vibrant songs of encouragement from the sidelines and the sound of vuvuzelas blasting from both the blue and gold ends.
In hopes of gaining victory Chief’s Siboniso Gaxa passed the ball to George Lebese who flared his lines and missed the ball. Minutes later the host made a change sending in Calvin Kadi and benching Asive Langwe. In response to Lebese’s miss, Chiefs followed the same strategy and sent him out in exchange for George Maluleka.
In what looked like a tug of war 30 minutes into the match, Vilakazi, the Clever Boys captain’s attempted to shoot for the target and was hindered by the defense of Masilela. In response to this Vilakazi tripped Masilela in pursuit of the ball and earned Chiefs a corner kick.
The Clever Boys used their home ground advantage making the AmaKhosi boys struggle as Bidvest Wits striker Papy Faty finished with a shot which was unfortunately above the bar.
In an exciting turn of events Chiefs almost scored an own goal but Khune diverted the ball away from the goals.
Half time saw both teams with no goals and the Clever Boys with more attempts at goal and dominant ball position. The second half of the match was similar to the first with both the blue and gold bloods fighting to win the match.
The remaining 20 minutes of the match showed a fighting spirit for the Amakhosi but the Clever Boys kept their guard up. Bidvest Wits retained dominant ball position from the beginning of the match until the end and as a result Kwanda Mngonyama was honored as the man of the match.
by Staff Reporter | Apr 22, 2014 | News
The following information was received from Wits University.
[hr]
NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS OF STAFF: TRAFFIC TO AND FROM BRAAMFONTEIN CAMPUSES TO BE AFFECTED
Due to the PSL match between Bidvest Wits Football Club and Kaizer Chiefs taking place at the Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday, 23 April 2014, traffic to the Braamfontein campuses will be severely affected between 17:00 and 21:00.
To avoid congestion, especially at the Yale Road north gate to Empire Road, all University traffic to Braamfontein Campus East should enter and exit through the Yale Road south gate (Jorissen Street) from 17:00 onwards. To enter and exit Braamfontein Campus West, kindly use the Enoch Sontonga gate.
Kick-off is at 19:30 and tickets will only be sold at Computicket at R45 per person (grandstand), R40 per person (normal stands) and R20 per child under the age of 13 years.
Need a map of the east campus where the stadium is located? Click here.
by Luca Kotton | Apr 17, 2014 | Sport
Bidvest Wits stole a late victory over Moroko Swallows last night, as the league leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, kept their lead at the top of the table.
The Clever Boys finished 2-1 in their crucial PSL (Premier Soccer League) match against the Swallows on their home turf at Bidvest Stadium.
Despite the win, time is running out for the Wits team as they remain eight points behind the table toppers with five games left to play, despite them having two games in hand over Sundowns.
The Clever Boys will have to win their remaining fixtures and rely on other teams to get results against Sundowns in their remaining three games, if they are to lift the PSL trophy for the first time in the modern era.
GRINDING IT OUT : The clever boys celebrate after a late winner from captain, Sibusiso Vilakazi, which gave his team the crucial three points needed to remain on track with the league leaders Sundowns. Photo: Luca Kotton
On loan Sundowns midfielder, Jabulani Shongwe, who plans to ink a permanent deal at Bidvest Wits next season, told Wits Vuvuzela, “We still have hope of winning the league, we don’t know what will happen in the remaining games but we will try our best to win all our games.”
In the face of rivalry with his parent club, Sundowns, for the league title, Shongwe added, “Sundowns can slip up and we can win our remaining games to win the league … I think they will slip up. “
Wits hungry for victory
Their 2-1 victory over Moroko Swallows left the Clever Boys still in contention for this year’s hotly contested title. The performance showed a side hungry for the three points as they spent most of their time in the Dube Birds half, creating multiple goal scoring opportunities.
The deadlock was finally broken after 83 minutes as Ethiopion striker, Getaneh Gibeto, tapped in from close range after some exciting play from the captain, Sibusiso Vilakazi.
With the game looking finished, Moroko Swallows equalized with their first attempt on goal in the second half with captain, Lefa Tsutsulupa, netting for the visitors in stoppage time.
With time running out, Vilakazi netted the winner to out-do his Swallows counter-part. This sent the crowd into a frenzy as a Vilakazi’s goal gave the team and their fans new hope for the league title.
Other match results
Chiefs won their game against Polokwane 2-0 to keep the pressure on Sundowns, who were 1-0 winners against the in-form, Mpumulanga Black Aces.
by Zelmarie Goosen | Apr 12, 2014 | Sport
by Luca Kotton | Apr 11, 2014 | Sport
SUPER SUBS: Erwin Issacs talks tactics with the Bidvest Wits assistant coach before him and Asive Langwe went on to change the complexion of the game.
A 1-0 VICTORY over Platinum Stars on Wednesday night have left the Clever Boys in good position going into the title finale.
The win for Bidvest Wits have put them in touch with league leaders Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs with six games remaining for the Clever Boys.
Title Hopes
Anything can happen in an eagerly anticipated finish to the Premier Soccer League season, which sees Wits eight points off the leaders, Sundowns, with two games in hand.
The title hopes this season are shouldered upon the experienced players for Bidvest Wit. Substitute player Erwin Issacs said the Clever Boys had a chance because they were underestimated by bigger teams.
[pullquote]”…We are all about the fight, team spirit and the three points.”[/pullquote]
“People are looking at the top teams like Sundowns and Chiefs, they don’t worry about us. We will come from behind, we need to win our two games in hand and we know we only two points behind. We are all about the fight, team spirit and the three points,” Issacs said.
Bidvest Wits vs Platinum Stars
The first half of Wednesday’s match was a tactician’s dream, with both teams held to a goalless stalemate.
The second half seemed to be heading the same way, until Bivest Wits coach Gavin Hunt made a match-changing substitute in a last ditch effort to win the game.
The substitute, left-wing Asive Langwe, scored 82 minutes into the match in what would be the decisive blow as the Clever Boys held out for the win.
Next fixture
Bidvest Wits next fixture is against Moroko Swallows on April 16. The Clever Boys will have the home ground advantage and will be looking for another win.
by Mfuneko Toyana | Feb 7, 2014 | Sport
The Bidvest Wits team, despite going down 2-1 to Orlando Pirates the previous night, were happy to mix with their supporters on Wednesday during O-week. The team gladly posed for pictures, signed autographs, and chatted with students, while smitten females fans ogled their favourite players as the gents looked on in jealous admiration.
by Mfuneko Toyana | Jul 21, 2013 | News, Sport
Premier Soccer League team Bidvest Wits in action. File Photo: Wits Vuvuzela
A Bidvest Wits footballer was detained by airport security shortly after his plane landed at Lanseria, after the player was apparently involved in a fight aboard the plane.
The PSL (
Premier Soccer League) outfit was flying back from a pre-season training camp in Cape Town last Saturday evening, and according to an eyewitness who spoke to
Wits Vuvuzela on condition of anonymity, there was a commotion on the plane involving a group of athletes in sports tracksuits.
The eyewitness, a fellow passenger tweeted after the flight: “@kulula whichever soccer team was misbehaving on cpt to lanseria flight, I hope the cops won’t treat the offenders lightly #badbehaviour.” Kulula then responded by saying: “Sorry for disruption, we will follow up with Lanseria.”
In a telephonic interview with Wits Vuvuzela, the passenger said she first heard a commotion on the plane, and then saw for herself one of the players being escorted after the flight by airport security.
Bidvest Wits CEO
Jose Ferreira requested a meeting with
Wits Vuvuzela at the club’s Sturrock Park offices on Friday morning, but refused to comment on the record.
Ferreira asked for an opportunity to respond to further questions via email but at the time of publishing, was yet to respond to these questions.
Another source who wishes to remain anonymous has said that Kulula confirmed that an incident had taken place aboard the aircraft but added that the matter was settled amicably. Wits Vuvuzela spoke with Kulula officials who referred the matter to Comair. Comair’s legal advisor Kathleen Ireland has also not responded to queries sent by email on Thursday.
by Ray Mahlaka | Jul 19, 2013 | News
THE new football season will kick off with Bidvest Wits signing stars Moeneeb Josephs, Matthew Booth and Benjani Mwaruwari on the squad, according to reports in the media.
Josephs has secured a three year contract with the Clever Boys.
Booth and Mwaruwari have each signed one year contracts, with an option to extend the contract for an additional year.
The signing of players by Bidvest Wits is a move away from the club’s tradition of young players, as the trio are in their 30s.
The Clever Boys are currently training in Cape Town for the next season which starts in August where they will face Platinum Stars.
The club also starts the season with new coach Gavin Hunt who replaces Clive Barker.
Bidvest management declined to comment on details of the new signings.
Related articles:
SuperSport : Wits sign Josephs on long-term deal
Kick off: ‘I don’t want to waste Wits’ money’
Kick off: Benjani to Wits a done deal
by Palesa Radebe | Jul 19, 2013 | News
Bidvest Wits Football Club will be going into the season with a new jersey following the cancellation of its two-year technical kit partnership with Nike.
According to its website, Italian sportswear company Kappa will be sponsoring Bidvest Wits kit. Last season the team wore a white and blue home jersey that was sponsored by US-based sportswear giant, Nike.
Ricky Joseph, who is the brand manager of Kappa, said the new look will be completely fresh and the brand will appeal to students. Ricky said the sponsorship is a strategic attempt from Kappa to relate to the student market.
“Kappa is reaching out to the students at Wits and creating a fresh identification with the great brand amongst all students and supporters alike,” said Joseph.
The club’s “new look” home jersey is white while the away jersey will be navy blue.
According to the Bidvest website, the team has entered into a one-year agreement with Kappa to supply the club’s merchandise and playing kit until the end of the 2013-14 campaign.
Joseph said: “Kappa has a long and rich heritage in football, specifically football in South Africa and we are delighted to be associated with Bidvest Wits, a club with a great prospect, a bright future and whose ambitions match our own.
“We share their passion, desire and energy for football and we’re extremely excited to be part of the next chapter in the Bidvest Wits story.”
Kappa has supplied kits for a number of leading clubs across Europe and the rest of the world, including teams in the PSL, Supersport United and Amazulu FC. Kappa will also be supplying the Bidvest Wits coaching staff with training wear items
by Liesl Frankson | Apr 30, 2013 | Featured 1, Sport
MEET THE TEAM: Andre Arendse (left) and Clive Barker (right) pose with a fan at the Bidvest Wits meet and greet hosted on East Campus, Wits University. Pic: Pheladi Sethusa
Bidvest Wits is facing a goal keeping crisis after the last of their experienced goalkeepers became another victim to injury during a match on Saturday.
Emile Baron suffered a broken leg and had to be stretchered off after a clash with Orlando Pirates striker, Ndumiso Mabena in the dying moments of their defeat at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. This forced Wits to put, inexperienced 17-year-old Jethren Barr, into the poles as the last man standing.
Wits’ misfortune in the goal keeping department began when Ryan Harrison fractured two fingers earlier this month ruling him out of play. The day before Wits was due to play Platinum Stars (April 17) Jackson Mabokgwane broke his leg during training. Their bad luck continued when Steven Hoffman also broke his leg during practice last week.
The goal keeping crisis facing Wits has led their current goalkeeping coach, former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, 45-year-old Andre Arendse to look into registering with the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
This will put him on the bench to assist Barr should the need arise. However, it is unlikely that his registration will be complete in time for their next match against the University of Pretoria on Wednesday night.
Although the club is in the middle of a crisis, Wits’ coach Clive Barker remains optimistic. He felt bad for Barr having to make his debut under such circumstances and with negative results but said, “…these things happen…”
“…Cometh the hour cometh the man. We’re fighting for fourth spot and we owe it to those keepers who have broken their bones,” Said Barker.
Bidvest Wits will face off against the University of Pretoria, for a fourth spot, on Wednesday at Tuks stadium at 7.30pm
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Wits Vuvuzela April 26: Clever boys eager for fourth place finish
Wits Vuvuzela April 5: Barker brings change
Kickoff. com April 29: Arendse lauds brave Barr
Goal. com April 29: Andre Arendse set to make his return to top-flight football against Tuks
by Mfuneko Toyana | Apr 26, 2013 | News
WITH only four games to go in the ABSA Premiership, and Bidvest Wits sitting fourth on the log, the Clever Boys’ match against reigning champions Orlando Pirates on Saturday is poised to be a thriller.
Wits are aiming to hold on to fourth place for their highest ever finish since the league’s inception in 1996, with only one point separating them from fifth-placed Supersport United. Pirates, nine points behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs, are also looking for a win with their hopes of winning a third consecutive league trophy diminishing fast.
Only a victory will keep the Bucs in the title race.
Bidvest have had a tremendous season under African Nations Cup-winning coach Clive Barker, who has the team playing attacking football. A player who has shone for Wits this season is midfielder and captain Sibusiso Vilakazi.
Playmaker: Sibusiso Vilakazi has been key to the Clever Boys’ success this season.
The 23-year-old is an important part of a Wits midfield quintet that has played the socks off a majority of opponents this season. His performances, especially over the past two seasons, have earned the Meadowlands-born lynchpin plenty of admirers.
Although he has only scored three goals this season, Vilakazi is chief instigator of Bidvest’s forward play and has an eye for a pass, combined with pace and skill.
He is modest about his own talents though, and accepts praise reluctantly.
“I never thought or imagined I would be a pro footballer. But once I joined Wits I could see myself one step closer to making the first team.”
“Zuma” or “General”, as he has been dubbed by supporters, took to the game at the age of eight and never looked back. He has played continually except for in his matric year when he had to decide between school and pursuing a football career.
He decided to do both and is currently studying business management at Unisa.
“It’s pressure balancing the football with the studies, but you have to commit yourself and do the job”.
Wits will be counting on their captain to do the job for them on Saturday against Pirates and lead his team to a tenth victory and step closer to a top four finish.
mfuneko@witsvuvuzela.com
