Bidvest Wits remain without a win in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages following a 1-0 loss to Mali outfit Djoliba on Sunday evening in Bamako.
The Clever Boys coach Gavin Hunt made three changes to the side that was held to a goalless draw by Horoya exactly a week ago , as goalkeeper Brandon Petersen took the place of Ricardo Goss, while Cole Alexander and Mxolisi Macuphu also returned to the line-up.
The Malian outfit were also unable to secure maximum points in their opener as they played to a 1-1 draw with Al Nasr of Libya away last Sunday.
Djoliba threatened in the early stages as El Hadji Bah came close to opening the scoring in the 18th minute with a strike from range that was saved by Petersen.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark courtesy of a strike by Boubacar Talatou, who found the bottom corner with a left-footed strike inside the box.
Wits could not fashion clear openings in the closing phase, as they were limited to long range strikes that did not trouble shot-stopper Adama Keita .
The South African side kept on firing blanks after the break, which forced Hunt to make a double change just after the hour-mark, as Phathutshedzo Nange and Molahlehi Khunyedi replaced Alexander and Haashim Domingo .
The Clever Boys continued to struggle to hit the target despite having attempts at goal in the closing phase , while Djoliba almost netted the second goal in stoppage time but Petersen came to the rescue to keeping out Oumar Camara's strke from outside the box.
In the end, the hosts held on to clinch their first win in Group C, taking their tally to four points, while Wits were left with only a point from two matches.
