Bidvest Wits finished the Absa Premiership campaign in third place after claiming a 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday afternoon, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Clever Boys will be hoping to end their campaign on a high after playing out to a 0-0 draw against Baroka in their penultimate league encounter for the season at Bidvest Stadium last weekend.

Meanwhile, Arrows dented Mamelodi Sundowns’ title hopes after snatching a point at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, following their goalless draw last weekend.

In the last meeting between the two sides, Wits and Arrows were forced to share the spoils after playing to a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Bidvest Stadium on 12 December 2018.

The Clever Boys got off to a good start and showed their intent early in the opening exchanges of the match.

Darren Keet came to his side’s rescue after 12 minutes when he came way out of his penalty area to intercept a pass before clearing the ball away to safety.

Gabadinho Mhango produced the first real chance of the game when he unleashed a strike from distance in the 18th minute, but the Wits attacker directed his shot straight into the hands of the keeper.

The visitors continued to press forward and nearly opened the scoring four minutes later after Lehlohonolo Majoro latched on to the end of a Sifiso Hlanti cross before blazing his effort wide of goal.

Maximilian Mbaeva kept his side in the game after 27 minutes when he made a great save to keep out Deon Hotto’s powerful strike from outside the box.

Wits should have taken the lead in the 39th minute when Majoro picked out Monare outside the area, but he was unable to keep his effort down as it sailed high over the target.

The game went into the half-time break with the scoreline locked at 0-0.

Wits had a great start to the second half when Mhango found the back of the net to open the scoring after 49 minutes.

The visitors continued to show their dominance as they pressed forward with Gift Motupa, who tried to play Mhango through on goal, but his final pass was well intercepted by the Arrows defence.

Monare should have doubled his side’s lead in the 70th minute after receiving a ball from Motupa, but the Wits attacker blazed his strike wide of goal.

Arrows had a chance to level matters on two occasions in quick succession, but Knox Mutizwa and Divine Lunga failed to hit the target with their respective attempts at goal.

Wits managed to hold on to their one-goal lead over Arrows until the final whistle, to claim all three points in the final game of the season.