Motupa fires Wits past Arrows

Bidvest Wits secured a 1-0 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows in an Absa Premiership match at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, Durban, on Thursday evening.

The victory took the Clever Boys to the fifth spot on the league standings, while Abafana Bes'thende remained fourth on the table.

The Students dominated the match from the start as they searched for an early goal which would have unsettled Abafana Besthende.

Gift Motupa had a chance to break the deadlock in the 14th minute following a good run, but he was well-denied by Arrows goalkeeper Nkosingiphile Gumede.

The towering goalkeeper was called into action a few minutes later and he made a diving save from Sameegh Doutie's dangerous curling cross.

However, Gumede conceded a penalty after he was adjudged to have fouled Motupa in the box in the 32nd minute.

Former South Africa under-23 international Motupa stepped up and beat Gumede from the spot-kick to make it 1-0 to Wits.

Arrows had a chance to equalise just before halftime, but Lindokuhle Mtshali's effort was blocked by Buhle Mkhwanazi and Wits were leading 1-0 at the interval.

Wits continued to attack after the start as they looked to double their lead on a rainy evening in the city of Durban.

Gavin Hunt's men were awarded a free-kick in a promising area in the 61st minute following a good move by the former Absa Premiership champions.

S'fiso Hlanti hit the crossbar from the set-piece with former South Africa under-23 international Gumede well-beaten.

Arrows were awarded a penalty after Siyabonga Dube was fouled in the box by Deon Hotto in the 71st minute, but Mutizwa hit the upright from the spot-kick.

The last chance of the game fell for Terrance Dzvukamanja with eight minutes left on the clock, but the Wits striker was denied by Gumede and fired wide from the rebound.

Ultimately, the match ended in a 1-0 victory in favour of Wits with Arrows failing to grab a late equalising goal.

Arrows (0) 0

Wits (1) 1 (Motupa 37')

Arrows: Gumede, S.Dube, Sibisi, Mathiane, Lunga, Parusnath, L.Dube (Sibeko 59'), Phiri, Makhubela, Mtshali (Sibiya 70') Mutizwa.

Wits: Goss, Hlanti, Mkhwanazi, Hlatshwayo, Macheke; Hotto, Alexander, Monare, Doutie (Domingo 67'), Motupa (Macuphu 61'), Pelembe (Dzvukamanja 82').