Bidvest Wits were crowned Telkom Knockout champions after claiming a late 1-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic in the final on Saturday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The encounter got off to a relatively quiet start as neither side were able to carve out any clear-cut opportunities in the opening exchanges of the match.

Wits striker Amr Gamal should’ve handed his side the lead inside the opening 17 minutes, but guided his header across the face of goal from a resulting corner.

Gabadinho Mhango nearly broke the deadlock after 25 minutes when the forward beat his marker before firing his deflected shot against the crossbar, with neither Daylon Claasen or Gamal able to convert the rebound.

Phunya Sele Sele had a chance of their own five minutes before the break as Ndumiso Mabena’s strike from inside the area was well saved by Darren Keet as the match went into the half time interval locked at 0-0.

Gamal had another chance to put his side ahead in the 55th minute when he forced Patrick Tignyemb into making a fine save to deny his header after latching on to a cross from Sifiso Hlanti.

Wits shot-stopper Keet came to his sides rescue six minutes later after he made a fingertip save to deny Victor Letsoalo’s effort at goal.

The Clever Boys came close to finding the net after 76 minutes after Gamal unleashed a strike at goal, but Tignyemb was on hand to deny the Egyptian’s attempt.

Gavin Hunt’s side eventually broke the deadlock in the 90th minute when Gamal set up Vincent Pule, who found the back of the net with a sublime back-heel, 1-0.

However, The Students held on to their one-goal lead over Celtic until the final whistle to claim their first piece of silverware this season.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix