Result: Maritzburg United 0-0 Bidvest Wits
Date: 24 August 2020
Venue: Absa Tuks Stadium
Bidvest Wits' slim chances of challenging for the league title are slipping away after a goalless with Maritzburg United on Monday afternoon.
Maritzburg made only two changes from the draw with Mamelodi Sundonws as Kwandakwensizwa Mngonyama and Bandile Shandu were both recalled while Wits brought Keegan Ritchie, Haashim Domingo and Terrence Dzvukamanja.
The Clever Boy had a glorious chance on a counter-attack in the 14th minute after Rowan Human went clear on goal but his low shot was saved by goalkeeper Richard Ofori while Nazeer Allie denied Dzvukamanja on athe rebound with a clearance off the line.
Dzvukamanja had another opportunity for Wits just before the water break midway through the first stanza with a snap-shot from the edge of the box that sailed over the bar.
Gavin Hunt's charges were defending deep in their own half, inviting pressure and the Team of Choice came close to breaking the deadlock five minutes before the break, as Tebogo Tlolane's shot from the closed was blocked on the line by Zitha Macheke.
Wits started the second stanza on the front foot and should have been 1-0 up ten minutes after the break after Human went through on goal, but he side-footed his shot just wide of the post with only Ofori to beat.
The Clever Boys came close again in the 64th minute after substitute Sameehg Doutie back-heeled a cross at the near post but his effort was cleared off the line by Daniel Morgan.
The match was tightly contested with 20 minutes left, with clear chances hard to come by which saw Eric Tinkler bring on striker Bongokuhle Hlongwane in place of Judas Moseamedi while Hunt also refreshed his attack ten minutes before time as Mxolisi Macuphu replaced Human.
The game was still there for the taking for either side in the dying minutes but they were unable not carve out clear openings as the spoils were shared in the end, as Wits moved up to third while United remained in sixth place.
Maritzburg: 31. Ofori, 45. Mngonyama, 5. Morgan, 7.Kutumela, 23. De Reuck, 15. Ntshangase, 26. Shandu, 14. Claasen, 4. Allie, 40. Tlolane, 20. Moseamedi
Subs: 30. Mpandle, 3. Sanoka, 8. Buchanan, 6. Timm, 21. Hongwane, 14. Bongo Mbourou, 9. Augusto, Bhengu
Wits: 23. Goss; 27. Ritchie, 29. Gordinho, 3. Hlatshwayo, 24. Macheke, 8. Monare, 14. Nange, 10. Domingo, 36. Sekgota, 31. Human, Dzvukamanja.
Subs: 16. Mhlongo, 11. Hotto, 13. Hlanti, 21. Doutie, 28. Macuphu, 33. Phillips, 38. Mathebula, September, 41. Mlonyeni.
