Wits beat a determined Orlando Pirates 3-2 in their fast-flowing, final game of the Premier Soccer League season played at Bidvest Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The teams were level at 1-1 at the break.
Clever Boys striker Kenwyn Manuel scored in the 14th minute with a rocket-like shot in front of the few supporters who braved the chilly, windy weather to witness the first win under interim coach Eric Tinkler.
Pirates equalised through Bennett Chenene who beating Wits goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs.
In the second half, the students continued to have the upper hand and camped in the Pirates goalmouth in search of more goals.
In the 47th minute, Wits striker Julio Danilo received a cross pass from Wilson Shenzhelani and stuck a neat shot home to register his team’s second goal. Bibey Mutombo’s charges never lost hope and scored their second goal from the boot of their hard-working defender, Lehlohonolo Seema.
Tinkler’s boys showed more determination and commitment than the Bucs and gained dominance as the game progressed.
Their strikers, Danilo and Marawaan Bantam, threw everything into their attack to frustrate the Pirates defenders and goalkeeper Francis Chansa.
Bantam was rewarded for his effort in the 60th minute when he easily slotted home Wits’ third and final goal to give the students maximum points to close the season on a high note.
Pirates fought hard to equalise but it was too little too late for the Buccaneers to penetrate the strong brick wall of the determined Wits rearguard.
Wits closed the season on 35 points and remained in position 13 while Orlando Pirates, who were fighting and hoping to clinch position three, found themselves still occupying position five with 46 points. — Sapa