Result: Bidvest Wits 2-2 Highlands Park
Date: 19 February 2020
Venue: Bidvest Stadium
Bidvest Wits' stuttering form in the Absa Premiership continued after playing to a 2-2 draw with Highlands Park at the Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday night.
Gavin Hunt made four changes from the win over Baroka FC as Phathutshedzo Nange, Elias Pelembe, Haashim Domingo, Eva Nga all returned to the starting line-up after only making the bench last weekend.
With the rain pouring down at the Bidvest Stadium, there weren't many clear-cut openings in the early stages although the slippy conditions did benefit the attackers.
However, it was the Lions of the North who got the opening goal through Mothobi Mvala on 26 minutes with a clinical header from close range after the Wits defence went to sleep at the far post.
Highlands were in the mood for more goals and went agonisingly close six minutes later, but Wits goalkeeper Brandon Petersen produced a stunning save to keep out Peter Shalulile's effort.
Wits had struggled for most of the half but they went into the halftime break on level terms after Domingo found the back of the net with a deflected effort from the edge of the box.
The Clever Boys picked up from where they left off in the first half as Thulani Hlatshwayo put his side in front with a close-range finish five minutes after the break.
The hosts had much positive outlook after the double switch at halftime, while Owen Da Gama responded with a change just before the hour mark as Lindokhule Mbatha made way for Mokete Mogaila.
Wits had the chance to wrap up the points with eight minutes remaining in the half but Mxolisi Macuphu was denied by Marlon Heugh, who had denied Sameehg Doutie earlier.
Those misses came back to haunt the hosts as the Lions of the North sealed the equaliser in the 82nd minute through Shalulile's penalty to earn his side a share of the spoils.
Wits: 1. Petersen, 29. Gordinho, 3. Hlatshwayo, 15. Mkhwanazi, 13. Hlanti, , 7. Pelembe, 14. Nange, 8. Monare, 10. Domingo, 11. Hotto, 19. Eva Nga.
Subs: 23. Goss, 4. Nonyane, 21. Doutie, 36. Ritchie, 27. Macuphu, 36. Sekgota, 37. Dzvukamanja.
Highlands: 1. Heugh, 10. Mokoena, 21. Mbhele, 5. Fransman, 48. Banda, 2. Mzava, 6. Letsholonyane, 14. Mvala, 38. Shalulile, 43. Mbatha, 34. Motsepe.
Subs: 16. Kapini, 18. Nyatama, 19. Munyai, 24. Rae, 27. Jooste, 21. Ramoraka, 12. Mogaila.
