Dull Caf Cup start for Wits

This was a stultifyingly dull start to Bidvest Wits’ first ever foray into the Caf Confederation Cup group stages, Gavin Hunt’s side unable to break through a resilient Horoya side at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto yesterday evening.

The near-empty stadium was a decent metaphor for the Clever Boys’ almost non-existent attacking threat, with Moussa Camara in the Horoya goal barely tested by the home team.

Wits will have to show a marked improvement going forward, if they are to have a shot at gettng out of Group C making the quarterfinals, but for now can at least take a point into their next game in Mali against Djoliba on Sunday.

Horoya FC have had plenty of experience of playing on these shores, finishing ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the Caf Champions League group stages in previous years.

Didier Gomes Da Rosa’s side arrived in South Africa with former Chippa United striker Aristide Bance in their ranks, the well-travelled Burkinabe attacker starting yesterday’s game.

Hunt, for his part, changed his side up a little from the midweek league draw with Highlands Park, with Ricardo Goss getting a start in goal, Zitha Macheke selected at right back, with Sameehg Doutie on the wing, and Mxolisi Machupu in attack.

The Students created little against a well-organised Guinean side clearly happy to grab a point from their opening Group C match.

Terrence Dzvukumanja fired one first half effort just wide, and Haashim Domingo also shot over, but this was generally a dreadful match with little to excite at either end.

In the second half, Hunt brought on Deon Hotto and Gift Motupa in search of a goal and a home win, but it was not to come.

Wits could consider themselves slightly fortunate that Horoya had a late shout for a penalty waved away.