Moroka Swallows beat a 10-man Wits University 2-0 in their Castle Premier Soccer League match played at the Bidvest Stadium on Friday night. Both teams failed to break the deadlock in the first half.
Swallows striker Shaun Permall scored the opening goal for the Beautiful Birds in the 69th minute, giving Wits goalkeeper Wayne Roberts no chance.
Just 11 minutes later super-substitute Pitso Lekone, who came on for leftwing Edsai Kasinauyo, scored a cracker from outside the area, beating Roberts at the far left corner.
As if it were not enough for Wits coach Roger da Sa, rightback Isaac Mabotsa was given his marching orders by no-nonsense referee Ace Ncobo eight minutes from full-time for a second bookable offence. Mabotsa’s first booking came in the 31st minute.
The Clever Boys had their chances but luck was not on their side on Friday.
As early as the 11th minute, Wits’s Charles Yohane struck a solid shot at the Swallows goal but keeper Greg Etafia parried it away for a corner kick.
In the 20th minute Wits striker Sydney Nkalanga hesitated before shooting, giving the Etafia the opportunity to header the ball away for a corner.
The frustrated Wits players resorted to rough play, which resulted in three of them being booked. — Reagan Noble in the 27th minute, Mabotsa in the 31st and Bjorn Gugger in the 35th minute.
Swallows, with 42 points, move from fifth place to join Kaizer Chiefs in second spot on the log.
Wits stay in 11th spot with 25 points from 22 games. – Sapa