Result: Horoya 2-1 Bidvest Wits
Date: 26 January 2020
Venue: Stade du 28 Septembre
Bidvest Wits' hopes of advancing to the CAF Confederation Cup knockout stage were ended on Sunday evening, following a loss at Horoya.
Wits head coach Gavin Hunt made five changes, as goalkeeper Brendon Petersen, Bhuhlebuyeza Mkhwanazi, Elias Pelembe, Gift Motupa and Haashim Domingo were all recalled to the side.
Horoya got off ta dream start as Dramane Nikiema opened the scoring after just the fifth minute with a cracking strike from outside the box that found the bottom corner.
However, Deon Hotto levelled matters for the Clever Boys in the 21st minute with a left-footed strike that sailed into the bottom corner after he was teed up by Thulani Hlatshwayo.
The joy was short-lived as Wits were reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Lehlohonolo Nonyane, who received a straight red card for a bad challenge.
The hosts were applying the pressure after that and Petersen kept the South African side in the game with ten minutes left of the first stanza, with two brilliant saves in quick succession to deny Morlaye Sylla.
The game opened up in the early exchanges of the second stanza as oniface Haba eventually restored the lead for Horoya just after the hour-mark with a strike from the centre of the box.
Hunt responded with a double change a few minutes thereafter with the introduction of Keegan Ritchie and Mxolisi Macuphu for Pelembe and Motupa respectively.
However, Wits were unable to carve out any openings as the home side were awarded a penalty with four minutes remaining after Sfiso Hlanti was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, but the hosts could not capitalise as Dramane Nikiema struck the left post with his spot-kick.
Nevertheless, the Guinean side held on book their spot in the quarter-finals while Wits were eliminated with just two points to their name.
