Absa Premiership
Result: Bidvest Wits 0-0 Free State Stars
Date: 16 April 2016
Venue: Bidvest Stadium
Bidvest Wits were held to a goalless draw by a resilient Free State Stars outfit at the Bidvest Stadium.
The hosts started the match on a rather positive note, pushing forward in search of the early goal but most of the attacks ended in the visitors conceding a corner.
Gavin Hunt’s charges continued to look good on attack, but the last phase of play was always proving to be a problem as the Ea Lla Koto defence remained unshaken.
The visitors began to build some momentum of their own in the latter stages of the first half, and Makhehlene Makhaula had a shot in the 33rd minute go wide, before Sello Japhta pushed his strike wide as well, only two minutes later.
The score remained locked at 0-0 as the sides entered the halftime break.
The second stanza started with Wits taking the upper hand once more, and Phumlani Ntshangase almost grabbed the opener, but his effort sailed agonisingly wide of the target.
The midfield battle was proving to be a crucial one as play was broken down in the middle of the park by both sides more often than not.
Stars were reduced to 10 men after 60 minutes, when Nhlanhla Vilakazi was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Daine Klate.
The two sides continued to make efforts to try and break the deadlock, but 0-0 is how the match would finally end, as the teams shared the spoils after a well contested Absa Premiership clash.
Here is how they lined up:
Wits: 16. Josephs, 2. Allie, 29. Khumalo, 15. Mkhwanazi, 20. Nhlapo, 7. Klate, 12. Hlanti, 30. Motshwari, 41. Ntshangase, 10. Vilakazi, 19. Botes.
FS Stars: 31. Mathole, 40. Nkausu, 19. Mbhele, 33. Chabalala, 4. Makhaula, 5. Masehe, 15. Kerspuy, 13. Mohomi, 10. Vilakazi, 28. Japhfta, 23. Sekola.
