Clever Boys ease to win in Polokwane

 Bidvest Wits eased to a 3-1 win over Polokwane City in an Absa Premiership match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Jabulani Shongwe, Papy Faty and Sthembiso Ngcobo scored for the Clever Boys, while City’s consolation goal came from defender Vukile Mngqibisa.

Neither team was able to really impose themselves in an attacking sense in the opening stages. Wits enjoyed more of the ball and generally pinned the hosts back, but striker Sthembiso Ngcobo was given little in the way of quality service.

But just before the half hour mark Siyabonga Nhlapo chased down a ball near the corner flag and provided a good cut back for Jabulani Shongwe, who stepped past a couple of weak challenges before placing a shot into the back of the net via the inside of the post to put the Clever Boys 1-0 up.

Ten minutes before half time Wits captain Sibusiso Vilakazi earned his side a penalty kick when he was brought down by a clumsy lunge from City centre-back Vukile Mngqibisa just inside the 18-yard area.

Papy Faty duly converted the spot kick to make it 2-0 in the 36^th minute and put the Johannesburg side well in control of the match.

The visitors extended their lead to 3-0 late in first half injury time, with Ngcobo scoring a spectacular overhead volley from a Vilakazi knock-down to send the match to the break with Gavin Hunt’s men way out ahead.

Yet just five minutes into the second half Polokwane were given a lifeline when Wits defender Phumlani Ntshangase was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and a penalty was awarded. Mngqibisa converted the spot kick to reduce the deficit to 3-1.

City had used all three substitutes by the 62^nd minute in an effort to get back into the match. They threatened sporadically, but some errant play in the attacking third let them down and Wits’ defence was able to stand firm with relative comfort.

Polokwane City (0) 1 (Mngqibisa 50’ pen)

Bidvest Wits (3) 3 (Shongwe 29’, Faty 36’ pen, Ngcobo 45+3’)

City: Marumo, Mbhele, Mngqibisa, Tshilo, Mthimkula, Lichaba, Jembula (Nzimande 62’), Maluleke (Mdluli 59’), Moyana (Rakhale 43’), Tlolane, Kanyenda

Wits: Josephs, Ntshangase, Gumede, Mngonyama, Moerane, Langwe (Chapman 75’), Nhlapo, Faty, Shongwe, Vilakazi (Isaacs 90+1’), Ngcobo (Madubanya 82’)

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