Bidvest Wits secured a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates while SuperSport United and Free State Stars played out to a goalless draw in the Absa Premiership on Wednesday evening.
The Clever Boys looked the more livelier side in the opening stages when Phakamani Mahlambi and James Keene forced Pirates goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane into making a few fine saves at goal in the opening 15 minute of the match.
The Buccaneers started seeing more possession of the ball after 20 minutes but failed to convert their chances in the final third as Wits goalkeeper Darren Keet denying then the opening goal.
However, the Students broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Gabadinho Mhango beat his markers before curling his effort into the top corner to make it 1-0.
Wits then doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Mhango sent his headed effort into the back of the net to guide the ball past Mabokgwane to make it 2-0.
The Buccaneers were dealt a major blow in the 50th minute when defender Marc Van Heerden was forced off the field with an injury and had to be replaced by Thembela Sikhakhane.
However, the Sea Robbers eventually pulled a goal back in the 61st minute when Happy Jele put the ball into the back of the net from close range after Keet guided his save towards the defender to make it 2-1.
Pirates were then reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute when Mabokgwane was shown a straight red card for handling the ball outside of the box.
Despite being a man down, Pirates pressed forward in search of an equalising goal in the closing stages but found it hard to break down the Clever Boys defence.
The Buccaneers have now stretched their winless run in the Absa Premiership to seven games as Bidvest Wits walked away with all three points.
Meanwhile, SuperSport United and Free State Stars were forced to share the spoils at the James Motlatsi Stadium after playing out to a goalless draw.
While Baroka and Platinum Stars shared the spoils at the Peter Mokaba Stadium as their Absa Premiership encounter finished goalless after 90 minutes.
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
