MTN 8 CHAMPIONS: CLEVER BOYS SCHOOL SUNDOWNS

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Gavin Hunt’s side made their intentions clear early when Daine Klate opened the scoring 34 seconds into the first half with a right-footed drive from outside the area. The Clever Boys continued to push and were rewarded with a second goal in the 20th minute. Denis Onyango came for a cross but spilled it into Eleazar Rodger’s path who made no mistake from close range. Msandawana struggled to assert themselves in the first half with Darren Keet a spectator for large parts of the half. Pitso Mosimane made a double change at the start of the second half introducing Yannick Zakri and Siyanda Zwane as Anthony Laffor and Tebogo Langerman were withdrawn. Despite the changes, it was Bidvest Wits who were ruthless in front of goal. Rodgers slipped in a perfectly weighted through ball for Klate, who made no mistake to bag his brace and increase the lead to 3. The Braamfontein outfit looked disciplined and comfortable in defence as the men from Mamelodi looked for a late consolation goal. The win sees Gavin Hunt secure his first silverware for the club in what looks to be a promising season for The Clever Boys.

The conditions made going into tackles a dangerous prospect and some may deem Hlompho Kekana lucky to have escaped with only a yellow for a wild challenge on Klate but the usually uncompromising Victor Gomes showed leniency. Pressure from the Students intensified and Mhango saw his headed effort fly into the ground and just wide with Denis Onyango scrambling.It wasn't long before Wits had a second with Klate playing provider as he challenged bravely in the air before the ball broke for former Sundowns man Rodgers to sneak the ball in from a tight angle.

Finding themselves a further goal down Sundowns tried to get a foothold in the game but had a difficult time breaking down a disciplined Wits backline.Wits, too, did not carve out the same kind of opportunities they had been creating earlier in the game as they were resigned to shots from range.Sundowns registered a first shot of the game in the dying seconds of the half as Keagan Dolly curled a free-kick just wide .Mosimane's men came out of the break looking like a different side and had a host of opportunities early in the half with the best Tiyani Mabunda's looping header which forced Keet to tip the ball over the bar.

The Brazilians looked to be in control but Wits hit them on the counter with Rodgers slipping in Klate who stretched to stab the ball home. Seemingly relaxed by the substantial advantage they were enjoying Wits began to enjoy themselves and saw effort from Thabang Monare force a save from Onyango before Pelembe fired just wide.

At the other end a set-piece presented an opportunity for Mabunda but he slammed the ball over the crossbar from close-range. Wits could have added further gloss to the score line as they game approached the final 10 minutes but Onyango got down bravely to take the ball of Rodgers' feet.

As time ran out Sundown’s began to visibly lose hope of salvaging the game but Kekana did attempt the spectacular but his acrobatic effort was nowhere near troubling Keet.Wits turned on the style in the closing stages as they coasted to a comfortable win and a first trophy in six years.Daine Klate received the Man of the Match award