Wits pick up vital Swallows win
Bidvest Wits picked up three vital points away from home when they narrowly beat Moroka Swallows 1-0 at the Dobsonville Stadium on Wednesday evening through the boot of Sibusiso Vilakazi.
Before the match a moment of silence was held following the passing of Wits academy player Nkululeko Magudulela.
The home side had an opportunity to take the lead early on in the match when winger Dikgang Mabalane unleashed a stern low shot from just inside the box, but Wits keeper Moeneeb Josephs got down well to save his effort.
Swallows’ on-loan striker Edward Manqele, who missed their weekend defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns due to his contractual obligations with his parent club, was eager to get his season back on track. The former Free State Stars forward saw his effort from just outside the box parried away by the alert Josephs.
The in the 21st minute it was the turn of the Clever Boys to exert some pressure on the Swallows defence. Fullback Siyabonga Nhlapo sent in a good cross from the right flank which found Getaneh Kebede, but the Ethiopian’s first-time shot went marginally wide of goal.
That opportunity spurred on the visitors and they eventually opened their account two minutes later through their skipper Vilakazi. Erwin Isaacs ran circles around the Swallows defence which led to an unmarked Vilakazi stabbing the ball home at the back post.
In the 65th minute Wits striker Calvin Kadi had a glorious opportunity to put the Clever Boys 2-0 up. The striker, who had only been on the field for ten minutes after coming on for Kebede, was one-on-one with Swallows keeper Greg Etafia, but pushed the ball into his arms as he attempted a lob.
The win for Wits sees them move to third on the Absa Premiership whilst Swallows, who suffered their second successive loss this week, are now placed in sixth.
Moroka Swallows 0
Bidvest Wits (1) 1 (Vilakazi 23’)
Swallows: Etafia, Isaacs, Da Costa, Cohen, Hendricks, Mokgothu, Mabalane, Nergadze (Bereng 70’), Ogle, Nomvethe, Manqele (Obada 76’)
Wits: Josephs, Dankwa, Mngonyama, Bhasera, Pattison, Faty, Nhlapo, Isaacs (Nengomasha 91’), Vilakazi (Gumede 85’), Kebede (Kadi 55’), Mwaruwari
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