10-man Bidvest Wits missed the chance to top the Absa Premiership standings after suffering a shock 2-0 defeat to AmaZulu at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Gavin Hunt’s men came into this encounter on a sour note of after relinquishing top spot in the league to Orlando Pirates following their 3-2 defeat to Cape Town City at the Bidvest Stadium last week.

Meanwhile, Cavin Johnson’s side are also in poor form after suffering back-to-back defeat against Orlando Pirates and most recently losing 2-1 to Maritzburg United.

The home side got off to a good start and had the first chance of the game when Talent Chawapiwa unleashed a strike at goal, unfortunately his attempt was weak and easily dealt with.

Usuthu nearly found the back of their own net in the second minute when Ouro-Akoriko cleared Gift Motupa’s cross towards his own goal, but keeper Siyabonga Mbatha was on hand to collect the ball.

AmaZulu responded well and nearly took the lead after 10 minutes when Nhlanhla Vilakazi picked out Ovidy Karuru at the back post, but he could only direct his header straight into the save hands of Darren Keet.

The home side should have grabbed the lead seven minutes later as Bongo Ntuli broke free on the right before firing a low shot at goal, but dragged his effort wide of the far post.

Ntuli squandered another great chance for the host in the 23rd minute after bursting past Bantu Mkhwanazi before going one-on-one with Keet, but he again failed to beat the Wits shot-stopper with his attempt at goal.

Usuthu dominated proceedings after 30 minutes of play, while the Clever Boys were struggling to break down the home teams defence.

Tapelo Nyongo came to his sides rescue on the stroke of half time when he made a crucial clearance to deny Motupa’s effort.

However, the home side were dealt a major blow in stoppage time when Somila Ntsundwana came on to replace the injured Chawapiwa.

AmaZulu picked up where they left off in the first half and managed to grab an early goal in the second half through Ntuli, who has been threatening Wits throughout the game.

The hosts grew in confidence as the game went on and threatened the Wits goal with shots in quick succession from Ntuli and Siyethemba Sithebe.

Wits had a rare attack in the 57th minute as Motupa delivered a cross towards Thulani Hlatshwayo, but Ouro-Akoriko did well to defend his box.

Usuthu nearly doubled their lead five minutes later after Ovidy Karuru showed a bit of skill on the left before finding Sithebe, who dragged his shot wide of the target.

The hosts had a golden opportunity to double their lead in the 75th minute when they launched a long ball forward with Keet rushing off his line to clear. It fell into the path of Ntsundwana, but before he could take a shot at the open goal, Robyn Johannes made a great sliding challenge.

AmaZulu’s persistence paid off as they eventually doubled their lead after 81 minutes when former Wits man Ntsundwana broke free on the right before cross the ball across the box for Karuru, who makes no mistake to find the net, 2-0.

The Clever Boys were then reduced to 10-men when captain Hlatshwayo was shown a red card after bringing down Ntsundwana down in a promising area.

Mhlengi Cele nearly extended his side lead even further in stoppage time, but the substitute failed to direct his effort on target as it sailed over the crossbar.

However, AmaZulu held on to their two-goal lead over Wits until the final whistle to claim all three points at the King Zwelithini Stadium.