Wits outclass Usuthu

AmaZulu suffered another away defeat in the Absa Premiership when they went down 2-0 to Bidvest Wits at Bidvest Stadium on Friday night.

Thulani Hlatshwayo opened the scoring minutes before half time before Vincent Pule doubled the lead midway through the second half.

Usutu did have opportunities in both halves but they were unable to get the goal they needed to claw their way back into the game.

The home side threatened early with Vincent Pule sending his header wide of the post in the 2nd minute, while Robyn Johannes made a telling clearance six minutes later after Tapuwa Kapini had fumbled the ball.

Usuthu then had two opportunities of their own with Marc Van Heerden curling a freekick wide in the 20th minute, before Bornwell Mwape failed to hit the target after running onto a through-pass from Philani Shange.

Kapini then had to get down quickly to block a low effort from Sithembiso Ngcobo, who had been set up by Sibusiso Vilakazi on the right side of the box on the half hour mark.

The Clever Boys opened the scoring in the 39th minute when Hlatshwayo ran onto Dillon Sheppard’s freekick at the far post before beating Kapini with a low header.

Mwape made a good run at the other end to head Van Heerden’s freekick into the net in the 45th minute, only to see his goal disallowed for offside.

The first two chances of the second half fell for Sandile Zuke but the Wits midfielder shot over the crossbar in the 50th minute before sending another effort wide seven minutes later.

Gavin Hunt’s side scored their second goal in the 67th minute as Pule made a late run into the far post to bury a low cross from Shongwe.

Wits goalkeeper then made two good stops to preserve the two-goal lead, diving low to block a shot from Philani Shange in the 77th minute, before denying Mwape from close range six minutes later.

Both sides had opportunities later in the game but Van Heerden curled his freekick wide of the target in the 90th minute, while substitute Henrico Botes was denied by the upright at the other end in added time.

Wits move up to third place with 13 points from seven matches, while AmaZulu remain in 16th place with three points.