Downs beat Wits 2-1

 

KATLEGO MODIBA

 

At Loftus Stadium

 

Mamelodi Sundowns 2

Bidvest Wits 1

 

 

Mamelodi Sundowns beat Bidvest Wits 2-1 in an entertaining Absa premiership match on Saturday night.

 

Both teams came from behind to draw their midweek games. Downs played to a 2-2 away draw with Ajax Cape Town while Bidvest Wits were held to 1-all draw at home. 

 

Pitso Mosimane named an attacking line-up, with Khama Billiat on the right, Bongani Zungu as a second striker and Cuthbert Malajila leading the charge upfront. The biggest surprise was the exclusion of Teko Modise from the starting eleven.

 

His changes did pay off as early as the 15th minute when captain Alje Schut put them ahead with a good header from a corner. The lead didn't last long though, Getaneh Gibeto pulled one back for the Clever Boys six minutes later. 

 

Gibeto slotted home after the ball fell kindly to him from an excellent save by Kennedy Mweeene. Mweene dived low to his right to deny Papy Faty but he could do nothing about Gibeto's follow-up.

 

It was end-to-end action in the first half. Both teams dishing out some good football. Billiat showed good touches going forward and was unplayable for the better part of the game.

 

Sundonws fans were not happy with the referee's showing in the first stanza. Tebogo Langerman was also on the wrong end of their fury as he had a shocker in the opening half. He gave away the ball cheaply and the Downs' faithfuls started calling for his substitution. It was evenly poised going into the break.

 

Billiat continued where he left off in the first half. He tormented the Wits defence and was deservedly rewarded in the 58th minute. He put the Brazilians ahead for the second time in the match after good play from Zungu.

 

He tucked away neatly at the far post after Moeneeb Josephs failed to handle his first shot. The home fans looked nervous in the closing stages as Sundowns held off a late surge from The Students to bag all three points.