Posted on October 23, 2011 01:49
An unfortunate Belux Bukasa Kasongo own goal earned Bidvest Wits a 1-0 win over AmaZulu in their Telkom Knockout Last 16 encounter at Bidvest Stadium on Saturday.
Bukasa, the Durbanites' Congolese defender, turned in Patrick Phungwayo's cross from the left flank past his goalkeeper Bongani Mzimela in the 17th minute.
A minute after taking the lead, striker Ryan Chapman went on to draw a save from the solid Mzimela.
Shortly before the break, Bhongolwethu Jayiya missed out on a peach of a goal when his sweetly struck shot outside the box rattled the upright with Mzimela beaten.
Aside from Wits keeper Energy Murambadoro's botched clearance that nearly fell to the feet of Usuthu's Ayanda Dlamini, the visitors were rarely a threat in the opening 45 minutes.
Their best chance came from winger Tangeni Shipahu's solo effort in the 31st minute on the right side of the box that saw his final shot go harmlessly across the face of goal.
The tide seemed to change slightly on the hour mark for AmaZulu with the introduction of Goodman Dlamini replacing his ineffective namesake, Ayanda.
Seconds into his entry, Dlamini received a clever back heel flick from Stanton Lewis but blasted his effort narrowly over the bar.
Five minutes later, Lewis again set up Dlamini after good interplay on the edge of the box with his shot drawing a point blank save from Murambadoro.
Wits pressed forward in the last quarter of the match in search of their second goal.
Midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi brushed past right-back Marc van Heerden on the left side of the box but his final finish was poor and easily held by Mzimela.
Van Heerden, however, nearly forced the game into additional time with a free-kick outside the box that narrowly went over the post.
Wits: Energy Murambadoro, Derrick Spencer, Patrick Phungwayo, Lehlogonolo Maselesa, Mbulelo Mabizela, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Sifiso Myeni, Sipho Mngomezulu, Bhongolwethu Jayiya (Bradley Ritson 81’), Ryan Chapman and Sifiso Vilakazi (Thando Mngomeni 75’).
AmaZulu: MbongeniMzimela, Thamsanqa Teyise, Marc Van Heerden, Belux Bukasa Kasongo, Carlington Nyadombo, Ramson Zhuwawo, Thamsanqa Sangweni (Kagiso Senamela 50’), Moses Chavula, Stanton Lewis, Tangeni Shipahu (Bongani Mbhele 74’) and Ayanda Dlamini (Goodman Dlamini 57’).
Scorer: Belux Bukasa Kasongo 17’ OG (AmaZulu).