A cheeky back-heel in the 90th minute by substitute Vincent Pule gifted Bidvest Wits R4-million and their first Telkom Knockout (TKO) cup in 22 years at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu township yesterday.
The Students beat a Bloemfontein Celtic side that was hoping to win this trophy for a second time after claiming it in 2012.
Wits had won this competition in 1985 and in 1995, beating Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates respectively while also losing it twice in the final against the Soweto giants.
In a match with few chances in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, winger Pule benefited from a well-worked cross by his Egyptian partner Amr Gamal.Wits coach Gavin Hunt had won everything in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) but this trophy. Winning it should also see the Students gain momentum and strength to climb the PSL log from the bottom.
Accepting the winners' cheque, Hunt said: "I always knew that it might take just one goal to win this match, and it did.
"Personally I'm very happy to win this trophy because I lost in a final [in 1994 playing for Hellenic against QwaQwa Stars]."
The Wits mentor started the match with probably his strongest line-up this season with Buhle Mkhwanazi back from a long-term injury in a defence that also welcomed back captain Thulani Hlatshwayo.Midfielder Daylon Claasen also started in his first week back from injury while upfront Hunt slotted in former Celtic man Gabadinho Mhango to partner Gamal. Mhango was coming back from a six-match suspension after a spitting incident on September 20.
He almost contributed to the opening goal which was the highlight of the match in the first half, his low-square pass in the 25th minute deflecting off Celtic defender Wandisile Letlabika and hitting the upright.
Celtic coach Veselin Jelusic also had a few changes in his usual line-up, surprisingly keeping in-form attackers Kabelo Mahlasela and Tshegofatso Mabasa on the bench, preferring to start with Victor Letsoalo and Deon Hotto on the wings.
Jelusic's changes didn't help Phunya Sele Sele create many openings.Celtic's only half chance came at the end of the first half with Ndumiso Mabena's tame shot from a corner kick. It was easily dealt with by goalkeeper Darren Keet.
In a much improved second half, Celtic produced the best of chances. Letsoalo's glancing header was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Keet in the 62nd minute.
Overall, though, the match didn't live up to the spectacle expected of a cup final, with play confined to the midfield and with lots of wayward passes.
Perhaps sensing that the match was heading for extra time and penalties, both Hunt and Jelusic took their time to make substitutes, the first change coming in the 72nd minute when Pule came on for the out-of-breath Claasen.
Striker Roggert Nyundu was replaced by Mabasa two minutes from time...