Goals by James Keene and Daine Klate helped Bidvest Wits to a 2-0 win against Polokwane City to clinch the Absa Premiership title on Wednesday night at the Bidvest Stadium, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
Gavin Hunt made four changes from his squad that was defeated 3-1 by Free State Stars, with Darren Keet, Daine Klate, Elias Pelembe, and James Keane all being handed starting berths.
Both sides started signaled their attacking intent from the offset, but it was the home side who showed more hunger in the early exchanges and took the lead in the third minute when a well-worked passing move saw Elias Pelembe find James Keane unmarked in the area and the Englishman made no mistake with a sublime diving header.
The Clever Boys showed no signs of letting up and continued to utilise wingers Klate and Pelembe who in turn whipped in balls into the six-yard area, but Rise and Shine defence had learned their lesson and thwarted out any danger.
Rodney Ramagalela looked the most lively for the visitors and caused a few scares with his pace and strength, but he lacked support up front and quickly grew frustrated.
Both sides had chances to score on the stroke of half-time, but failed to take their chances as Wits took their one-goal lead into the half-time break.
The second half started in similar vein to the first as Wits upped their efforts to double their advantage, with efforts from Ngele and Thabang Monare straying wide.
Wits were rewarded for their attacking efforts in the 60th minute when Klate got onto the end of Ngele’s ball with and complimented his great first touch with a peach of a strike to double his sides advantage.
The visitors hardly put up any resistance to Wits’ dominance and struggled to carve out the home sides defence. The volume at the Bidvest Stadium increased upon the news of title-contenders, Mamelodi Sundowns being 2-0 down in their encounter against Maritzburg United.
The home side played out the remainder of the game with relative ease to clinch their maiden Absa Premiership title, which will be handed to them after their final league encounter against Kaizer Chiefs.
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs extended their winless streak to five consecutive games in the league as they were condemned to a 2-0 loss against Platinum Stars with Solomon Mathe and Enocent Mkhabela netting for Dikwena.
Chippa United ran riot at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as they defeated SuperSport United 3-0 with Rhulani Manzini netting a hat-trick.
Photo: Gavin Barker/Backpagepix
