Nomandela late strike denies Wits
Luyolo Nomandela scored a dramatic late equaliser with the last kick of the match as Free State Stars drew 1-1 with Bidvest Wits at the Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday evening in an Absa Premiership match.
Calvin Kadi had given the hosts the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half.
In fifth minute of the match Matthew Pattison saw his curling left-footed free-kick from outside the box deflected over the bar.
Then Wits defender Thomas Sweswe hit a low drive from 30-yards out, which Motsoeneng tipped away for a corner.
Ea Lla Koto should have taken the lead in the 35th minute when Anver Esterhuizen unleashed a shot from 25-yards out, which Wits keeper Ryan Harrison mistakenly thought to be going over the bar but the ball hit the woodwork.
Then Calvin Kadi spotted Motsoeneng off his line in the 48th minute and came close to scoring when his attempt from just inside the halfway line went wide of goal.
The home side were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute when Kadi was brought down in the area. The striker stepped up and took the spot kick himself and sent Motsoeneng the wrong way to make it 1-0.
In the 72nd minute Pattison threatened with a free kick from just outside the box. After his initial shot hit the wall, his second bite of the cherry just shaved the post.
Noah Chivuta nearly got his side the equaliser when he turned and shot from just outside the box, but saw his attempt fly high and over.
Stars never gave up and got the equaliser in the 93rd minute when Nomandela beat a few markers and shot from close range beyond the reach of Harrison.
Bidvest Wits (0) 1 (Kadi 58’ pen)
Free State Stars (0) 1 (Nomandela 93’)
Wits: Harrison; Gumede, Pattison, Nengomasha, Kadi (Sibande 87’) Vilakazi (Chapman 46’), Sweswe, Faty, Seedat (Mayinga 78’), Mashaba, Nato
Stars: Motsoeneng; Nomandela, Ouro-Akoriko, Esterhuizen, Wiltwer, Kerspuy (Mhamha 73’), Cardoso, Mkwanazi, Masehe, Wome (Chivuta 79’), Mvula (Mkhatshwa 73’)
