Three red cards as nine-men Wits edge 10-men Bucs

22 October 2015 - 02:31 By Mazola Molefe, Marc Strydom, Mark Gleeson and Nick Said

Bidvest Wits shot to the top of the Premier Soccer League log after beating Orlando Pirates 1-0 away from home in a match that saw referee Victor Gomes issuing three red cards. The drama began in the ninth minute when Gomes awarded a penalty, punishing Pirates winger Sifiso Myeni for a tug on Phakamani Mhlambi.Henrico Botes missed the penalty, but Gomes ordered a retake, before changing his mind.Wits scored in the 14th minute thanks to an own goal by goalkeeper Felipe Ovono. The spotlight fell back on Gomes when he sent off Wits skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo following his tackle on Myeni.Wits brought on Calvin Kadi, who was given his marching orders following a tackle on Lehlogonolo Masalesa.Masalesa was also sent for an early shower, taking the tally of red cards to three and turning this into the Gomes show.Mpumalanga Black Aces' coach Muhsin Ertugral looked like he might have a heart attack as all seemed to go wrong for his side before substitute Judas Moseamedi's injury-time brace salvaged a 2-2 draw against Platinum Stars.Ndumiso Mabena scored from the penalty spot in the 21st and 59th minutes in this top-of-the-Absa Premiership clash at Mbombela Stadium last night, though it could have been far more to Stars, who struck the post three times in the first half.Bloemfontein Celtic looked more like lambs than conquerors when they lost 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns at Retlai Molemela Stadium, formerly known as Seisa Ramabodu.Anthony Laffor scored with 20 minutes to go to give Pitso Mosimane's side victory.Ajax Cape Town and University of Pretoria played to a frustrating goalless draw at a blustery Athlone Stadium last night, a game in which both sides had excellent chances to grab a winner...

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