Clever Boys hammer Ajax to go top
Bidvest Wits underlined their title credentials with a 5-0 thumping of Ajax Cape Town in an Absa Premiership clash at Bidvest Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Phakamani Mahlambi, Thulani Hlatshwayo Frank Mhango (x2) and James Keene leading the Clever Boys to a commanding win, with Gavin Hunt's men subsequently climbing to the top of the log standings.
The game got off to a rather cagey start with both teams unable to conjure any clear cut opportunities in the early exchanges.
This, though, soon changed with Tashreeq Morris bursting through the heart of the Clever Boys defence before forcing Darren Keet into a top save in the 17th minute.
The save proved pivotal as Bidvest Wits hit the front three minutes later. A defensive error punished by Mahlambi, with the 19-year-old quickest to react before slotting the ball past Jody February.
Rivaldo Coetzee had to be at his very best to deny the teenage forward a second soon after, but Urban Warriors academy graduate ,Hlatshwayo, was not to be denied from the resulting corner-kick.
The Clever Boys skipper rising above Lawrence Lartey to double the hosts lead before the break.
Ajax Cape Town showed some enterprise following the interval, with the pair of Ndiviwe Mdabuka and Morris squandering a golden chance to pull a goal back following a mistake by Darren Keet.
The miss proved costly once more as Frank Mhango made it 3-0 to the hosts in the 59th minute. The Malawi international poking home with his first touch of the game following a goalkeeping blunder by February.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors soon after as Keene powered home a fourth three minutes later. Poor marking leaving the forward with an easy finish as he guided his header attempt into the back of the net.
Mhango completed his brace with 78 minutes on the clock. Further questionable defending from a set-piece punished; with the forward rifling home from close range - the Clever Boys laying down a clear marker.
Mhango had a chance to complete his hat-trick 10 minutes later, but February pulled of a great save as Ajax Cape Town avoided equaling their worst ever defeat.
Bidvest Wits (2) 5 (Mahlambi 20' Hlatshwayo 31' Mhango 59' 78' Keene 62')
Ajax Cape Town (0) 0
Teams:
Bidvest Wits: Keet; Hlanti, Mkhwanazi, Hlatshwayo, Allie - Ngele (Klate 58'), Monare, Scott, Pelembe (Mhango 58') - Mahlambi (Myeni 75'), Keene
Ajax Cape Town: February; Lebusa, Lartey (Pietersen 44'), Coetzee, Isaacs - Graham, Mdabuka - Mayambela (Mzwakali 56'), Kabwe, Mosadi - Morris (Paulse 75')