GAVIN Hunt is on the verge of a third successive Nedbank Cup final after his Bidvest Wits side powered to the last four of the competition following a 2-1 win over Bloemfontein Celtic in Botshabelo yesterday.

He had guided his former club, SuperSport United, to the final in back-to-back seasons, winning the 2012 edition.

After Celtic broke the deadlock through midfielder Musa Nyatama, who capitalised on the Clever Boys' sloppy defending, Wits responded almost immediately to draw level and took the lead before the break.

Nyatama had scored from an easy tap in at close range in the 24th minute and Wits captain Sibusiso Vilakazi equalised a minute later, almost in a similar fashion.

Then Phunya SeleSele were dealt a blow when defender Alfred Ndengane was given his marching orders in the 39th minute having tried to stop Vilakazi, who was well on his way to netting his and Wits' second of the afternoon.

From the resulting set-play, Jabulani Shongwe stepped up and placed his shot in the top corner, giving keeper Patrick Tignyemb no chance.

But Celtic never gave up, even when Keegan Buchanan got injured and was replaced by attacking midfielder Gebadinho Mhango. The Malawi international came close to making an immediate impact, but Wits kept it tight at the back.

In the second half, Celtic had Wits with their backs against the wall as they searched for a way back into this clash.

The numerical advantage was barely visible as the 10-man Celtic pushed bodies forward and even defender Clayton Daniels had found a new position - as a striker.

The victory for Wits keeps Hunt's pursuit of a personal milestone alive, but also means the Clever Boys, who remain outside contenders for the Absa Premiership title, could still look to the Nedbank Cup for a silverware.