Ethiopian striker Getaneh Gebede scored a brace to hand Wits their third Premiership win of the season, easing past Moroka Swallows 3-0 at Bidvest Wits, in Johannesburg, on Friday night.
Gebede scored either side of half-time, before second-half replacement Sameehg Doutie added a third to put the result beyond doubt.
In doing so, Wits moved up the table into third spot with 10 points, trailing Kaizer Chiefs by two points at the summit of the league standings.
Heading into the game on the back of successive defeats to Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town, both in the MTN8 and Premiership, the week ended on a high for Gavin Hunt. He looked a relieved man after a poor run of form in the last two weeks.
The sides started tentatively and felt each other out in the middle of the park, with neither keen on taking the game to their opponent.
Siyabonga Nomvethe sparked the game into life after 15 minutes when he provided the first action, his shot flying high and wide of target when he was put through on goal.
Shortly after and at the other end, the Clever Boys would not make the same mistake and before long Gebede was leading the celebrations.
A Wits corner caused problems in the area as Swallows failed to clear their lines.
The ball popped out to Phumlani Ntshangase, who took a shot at goal, but was denied by his own player, Gebede, who stopped the ball, spun and sent his shot high into the roof of the net to open the scoring in the 18th.
While the Students looked comfortable in possession, Swallows had plenty of headaches and coach Zeca Marques looked a worried man after being forced into two substitutions inside 45 minutes.
Marques lost Nomvethe and Lerato Chabangu due to injury before the half-time whistle, leaving the coach without two of his most attacking players.
Leading at the break, Wits came out the more positive outfit in the second period and went in search of their second.
After a couple of half-chances, the Students found the back of the net once more on 56 minutes, Gebede doubling his tally with a header from an unmarked position in the area, with the Swallows defence nowhere to be found.
More was to come from the home side as Doutie, virtually with his first touch of the ball, scored a superb free-kick.
The winger, who joined from SuperSport United on a season-long loan, curled a right-footed strike past Etafia, leaving Swallows all but bowed out of the contest with half-an-hour still to play.
Wits looked untroubled and saw out the result comfortably as Swallows suffered their second defeat of the season, ending a solid run which saw them claim three points in their most recent outing.
Gebede brace lifts Wits
Ethiopian striker Getaneh Gebede scored a brace to hand Wits their third Premiership win of the season, easing past Moroka Swallows 3-0 at Bidvest Wits, in Johannesburg, on Friday night.
Gebede scored either side of half-time, before second-half replacement Sameehg Doutie added a third to put the result beyond doubt.
In doing so, Wits moved up the table into third spot with 10 points, trailing Kaizer Chiefs by two points at the summit of the league standings.
Heading into the game on the back of successive defeats to Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town, both in the MTN8 and Premiership, the week ended on a high for Gavin Hunt. He looked a relieved man after a poor run of form in the last two weeks.
The sides started tentatively and felt each other out in the middle of the park, with neither keen on taking the game to their opponent.
Siyabonga Nomvethe sparked the game into life after 15 minutes when he provided the first action, his shot flying high and wide of target when he was put through on goal.
Shortly after and at the other end, the Clever Boys would not make the same mistake and before long Gebede was leading the celebrations.
A Wits corner caused problems in the area as Swallows failed to clear their lines.
The ball popped out to Phumlani Ntshangase, who took a shot at goal, but was denied by his own player, Gebede, who stopped the ball, spun and sent his shot high into the roof of the net to open the scoring in the 18th.
While the Students looked comfortable in possession, Swallows had plenty of headaches and coach Zeca Marques looked a worried man after being forced into two substitutions inside 45 minutes.
Marques lost Nomvethe and Lerato Chabangu due to injury before the half-time whistle, leaving the coach without two of his most attacking players.
Leading at the break, Wits came out the more positive outfit in the second period and went in search of their second.
After a couple of half-chances, the Students found the back of the net once more on 56 minutes, Gebede doubling his tally with a header from an unmarked position in the area, with the Swallows defence nowhere to be found.
More was to come from the home side as Doutie, virtually with his first touch of the ball, scored a superb free-kick.
The winger, who joined from SuperSport United on a season-long loan, curled a right-footed strike past Etafia, leaving Swallows all but bowed out of the contest with half-an-hour still to play.
Wits looked untroubled and saw out the result comfortably as Swallows suffered their second defeat of the season, ending a solid run which saw them claim three points in their most recent outing.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos