BIDVEST Wits midfielder Marawaan Bantam has attributed their 4-1 success over Thanda Royal Zulu in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup at Milpark Stadium on Saturday to hard work.

BIDVEST Wits midfielder Marawaan Bantam has attributed their 4-1 success over Thanda Royal Zulu in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup at Milpark Stadium on Saturday to hard work.

The hard-running Bantam said everybody performed like their lives depended on the match, which was played on a slippery pitch.

Bantam said: "I am quite chuffed that we all came to the party and eased into the quarterfinals of the competition with a convincing victory.

"Though we started the game on the back foot we really worked ourselves up and never looked back after Royal had opened the scoring in the 29th minute."

The speedy Bantam was inspirational for the home team. He scored one goal and had a hand in another two, his magnificent display rightfully earning him the man of the match award.

Wits coach Roger de Sa said: "The boys had a good build-up and their play was of high quality."

Royal shocked Wits when they took the early lead through striker Peter Wadabwa, who beat goalkeeper Francis Chansa in the 29th minute.

The Students replied quickly through Houston Hills, who cleverly chipped his shot over Royal goalkeeper Nimrod Tsengwa to make the score 1-1 in the 32th minute.

Mark Haskins made the interval score 2-1 with a beautiful header after being perfectly set up by Bantam, who scored the third in the 65th minute.

Bantam was again the provider for Thando Mngomeni, who netted the fourth goal on the stroke of full time.