Wits go top with 1-0 win over Chippa

The Clever Boys are on 16 points after six games, followed by SuperSport United on 15 and Kaizer Chiefs and Golden Arrows, both on 14 points.

After a bright start from both teams, it was Chippa defender Christopher Bergman who tried his luck from range, but his effort flew high and wide of the target. A few openings then accrued on either side, with Elias Pelembe heading over for Wits and new Chippa signing, Katlego Mashego, driving a shot into the side-net.

Wits coach Gavin Hunt made an early change, taking off Xola Mlambo  and bringing on Ben Motshwari, in a clear effort to tighten things up in the middle of the park. The switch had an immediate effect, in that Wits started to look a lot more threatening. Gabadinho Mhango had an opportunity to open the scoring, but was denied by a good save from Chippa goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi.

At the start of the second half, Hunt made another change, replacing Eleazar Rogers with Cuthbert Malajila.

In the 54th minute, the Clever Boys’ pressure finally told when Pelembe provided the cross and Mhango headed in to give the Johannesburg side a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later, Daine Klate lined up a free-kick, but pushed his attempt over the bar.

Desperate to get back on level terms, Chippa made a double-change in the 68th minute, with coach Dan Malesela subbing Zaphaniah Mbokoma and Strydom Wambi and bringing on Paseka Mako and David Zulu.

Wits could have increased their advantage when Akpeyi spilled a shot from Malajila, but Mhango wasn’t able to get to the rebound to make the chance count.

With 10 minutes to go, Chippa suffered another setback when goalkeeper Akpeyi was injured and replaced by substitute custodian Veli Mothwa.

The Port Elizabeth team was unable to find a way beyond the resolute Wits defence and slumped to another defeat.