Absa Premiership
Half Time: Orlando Pirates 0-1 Bidvest Wits
Date: 4 February 2014
Venue: Orlando Stadium
The combination of a single goal from captain Sibusiso Vilakazi and numerous saves from goalkeeper Moneeb Josephs saw Bidvest Wits take a 1-0 lead into the half time break in their Absa Premiership match against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Buccaneers controlled the match early on and saw the majority of the ball which allowed them to create chances almost at will in the opening ten minutes.
The best chance fell to Lehlongonolo Maselesa in the fourth minute, but he fired recklessly over the crossbar from four-yards out with an empty goal at his mercy.
Wits, on the other hand, looked a little rusty and understandably so as they had not played a single game in 2014, their last professional match on the 21st December 2013.
Consequently, unlike Pirates who had already turned out three times in 2013 and were passing the ball about beautifully, Wits gifted possession to their opponents with some poor passing.
And Wits’ coach Gavin Hunt let his team know after shouting at them from the sidelines for wasting their time on the ball.
As the half progressed, however, Wits began to see more of the ball, but still they struggled to break down a resilient Pirates defence until the 21st minute when the Clever Boys took the lead very much against the run of play.
Some slack defending from Happy Jele allowed Wits’ captain Sibusiso Vilakazi to sneak in front of him at the front post to tuck home a right-wing cross from six-yards out.
Pirates were visibly upset after going behind and their frustration only grew as they dominated the rest of the half, but were thwarted by good saves from Moneeb Josephs on numerous occasions.
New Pirates head coach Eric Tinkler took his side into the break trailing by a goal to nil.
You can catch live updates of the game on the website or on twiiter @Soccer_Laduma.
