Wits too clever for Bucs in drama-filled match
JOBURG - Orlando Pirates were pipped 1-0 at home by Bidvest Wits in a drama-filled match that saw referee, Victor Gomez, dish out three red cards.
The Absa Premiership game at the iconic Orlando Stadium in Orlando East, Soweto, kicked off with Wits showing signs of being the better of the two teams with a string of passes that gave Bucs coach, Eric Tinkler, a nightmarish time on the bench.
In less than 10 minutes of play, Wits was awarded a penalty when the Sea Robbers’ Sifiso Myeni fouled Papy Faty inside the box, but Henrico Botes fluffed the opportunity by directing the spot kick straight at Pirates goalie, Felipe Ovono.
The Clever Boys, as Wits is fondly known to its fans, piled the pressure on the Buccaneers and they were duly rewarded in the 15th minute with a soft goal when the ball slipped from sprawled Ovono’s clutch and rolled into the back of the net.
Soon after the goal, Wits’ Thulani Hlatshwayo was shown a red card and forced to take an early shower after a dangerous tackle on Myeni, who was subsequently stretchered off the pitch.
More nightmares followed for Wits coach, Gavin Hunt, when substitute, Calvin Kadi, was sent off with his first touch of the ball after a dangerous sliding tackle on Ayanda Gcaba. This was immediately followed by yet another red card for the Pirates captain of the day, Lehlohonolo Masalesa, for a foul on Phakamani Mahlambi.
In the second half, Pirates applied pressure on a defensive Wits in search of an equaliser, but all the efforts of substitutes, Kermit Erasmus and Mpho Makola, did not yield any fruit as the Clever Boys walked away with the three points that propelled them to the top of the log.
Besides the three red cards, Gomez flashed a number of yellows, continuing his reputation as a no-nonsense referee who is quick to put his hand in his pocket.
