Wits teach Tuks a lesson

Bidvest Wits moved up to second in the Absa Premiership standings after a 1-0 win away to the University of Pretoria at the Tuks Stadium on Sunday.

Jabulani Shongwe helped Wits record their third win of the campaign with a neat finish five minutes after half-time.

Wits are level on nine points with top side Ajax Cape Town, but have an inferior goal difference.

The opening salvoes between Tuks and Wits were quite scrappy, and there were a lot of fouls in the first quarter of the match.

Wits had the first opportunity at goal in the second minute when veteran winger Elias Pelembe had a crack from long range. However, Washington Arubi in the home side’s goal comfortably dealt with his effort.

But it was Tuks who had the best chances in the opening period.

Tuks midfielder Sibusiso Mthethwa fired a shot at Moeneeb Josephs’s goal in the 18th minute, but his effort lacked the necessary venom to trouble the former Bafana Bafana shot-stopper.

About 11 minutes later, Thabo Mnyamane’s side-footed effort on the Wits goal was deflected for a corner.

Pelembe would have another opportunity 10 minutes before the break from a set piece just outside the Tuks penalty area. However, he couldn’t clear the wall with his free kick.

Gavin Hunt’s men then took the lead in the 49th minute when Shongwe hit the target with his left foot after a lovely assist from Wits defender Nazeer Allie.

Tuks had a few top chances just after the hour mark to draw level, but couldn’t convert their chances.

Josephs came up with an excellent save in the 62nd minute to deny Tuks substitite Lucky Mathosi, while the striker also hit the bar with a sweet header from close range in the 72nd minute.