Varsity rivals in bore draw

The University of Pretoria held Varsity rivals Bidvest Wits to a goalless draw in an Absa Premiership encounter at Tuks Stadium in Tshwane on Wednesday evening.

The Clever Boys dominated proceedings from start to finish but were left frustrated by a resilient AmaTuks defence.

Steve Barker made one change to the side that held Ajax Cape Town to a goalless draw last time out, Siyabonga Ngubane replaced Raymond in the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Gavin Hunt made three changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Free State Stars at the weekend.

Matthew Booth, Onismor Bhasera and Sthembiso Ngcobo started from the onset.

Bidvest Wits dominated the first stanza, moving the ball around with confidence and pressing the home side deep into their own box.

Jabulani Shongwe’s deflected effort shaved the effort in the 12^th minute before Sibusiso Vilakazi squandered a golden chance 13 minutes later.

The Clever Boys skipper broke straight through on goal but Washington Arbui rushed off his line to make a good save at the midfielder’s feet.

The visitors continued to boss proceedings with Calvin Kadi and Sboniso Gumede notably going close before the break.

Gavin Hunt’s side dominated the first stanza but were unable to unlock a determined Tuks defence.

Steve Barker reverted to a  back five at the start of the second half, with Tebogo Monyai slotting in between Buhle Mkhwanazi and Siyabonga Shoyisa at the heart of defence in a very defensive move by the AmaTuks mentor.

Bidvest Wits controlled proceedings in the second half, with the whole squad bar goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs on occasion finding themselves in the opposition half.

Despite setting up camp in the opposition half, the Clever Boys were unable to break down a determined AmaTuks defensive unit.

The draw leaves Wits in third spot on the log, 11 points off runaway leaders Kaizer Chiefs, while AmaTuks move up one place to 10^th.

University of Pretoria 0

Bidvest Wits 0

University of Pretoria: Arubi, Kekana, Mkhwanazi, Shoyisa, Sibande, Mosadi (Maruping 88’), Ketjijere, Matsi, Ngubane (Monyai 46’), Nyondo, Mnyamane (Massa 68’)

Bidvest Wits: Josephs, Nhlapo, Mngonyama, Booth, Gumede, Vilakazi (Faty 77’), Ntshangase, Shongwe, Bhasera, Ngcobo (Kebede 90’), Kadi (Mwaruwari 65’)

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