SOCCER: Wits stay on course with the league leaders

by | 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 their captain , Sibusiso Vilakazi, gave his team the three points, to stay on track with the league leaders. Photo: Luca Kotton

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.

The Clever Boys get the edge

by | 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.

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.