Wits University wore their red badge of courage when they drew 0-0 against Jomo Cosmos in an uninspiring Castle Premiership fixture at Milpark’s Bidvest stadium on Wednesday night.
But all credit went to the Students, who played with a man short for 70 minutes. They fully deserved their point.
Wits were reduced to 10 men in the 20th minute when striker Etienne Bito’o elbowed Cosmos defender Valery Nahayo in an off-the-ball incident.
The Cosmos defender pulled the Wits striker’s jersey. Bito’o retaliated right in front of the assistant referee. Match referee Jonas Nhlapo had no option but to show the Wits striker the red card. But Nahayo made a meal of the foul.
Until then, Wits looked the better side in a fairly even first half. But Cosmos failed to take advantage of their extra man in the hard-fought first half.
Cosmos created better chances. Twice, Innocent Ntsume was narrowly wide of the Wits goal. His first effort from 20m skimmed the upright in the 28th and again in the 39th minute.
Wits’ only chance on goal came in the 17th minute from midfielder Charles Yohane who blasted wide with a fiercely struck shot.
Wits took the early initiative at the start of the second half. The home crowd bayed for a penalty in the 56th minute when Cosmos defender Ryan Hodgskin appeared to handle the ball inside his penalty area. However, the referee, who was up with play, ignored the Wits players’ appeals.
Cosmos disappointed in not being able to exploit their advantage. They never looked like scoring. The home side looked the better side in the second half despite being a man short. — Sapa