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| Bidvest Wits have had a fantastic season, winning the MTN8 and ABSA Premiership titles. |
After finishing runners-up to Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2015/16 season, Bidvest Wits finished above Pitso Mosimane’s side to become South African champions for the first time in their 96-year history. The Clever Boys defeated Polokwane City 2-0 in the penultimate round and finished the campaign three points ahead of the Brazilians. A huge achievement and well deserved by everyone at the club.
Despite losing 1-0 against Kaizer Chiefs in their final league game, Wits reached their highest ever points tally in the PSL era, with 60 points from 30 matches – three points better off than last season. Sundowns will feel hard done by as they finished the campaign with the most goals scored (52), the least conceded (20) and lost the least amount of games (5). However, football is all about winning matches and Wits won two more than Downs and third-placed Cape Town City.
Not only did the Clever Boys pip Mosimane’s side to the ABSA Premiership title, but they also produced a ruthless display to beat Masandawana 3-0 to be crowned MTN8 champions on October 1st – for the first time since 1995.
It’s good for Wits that Gavin Hunt was overlooked for the Bafana Bafana job as he is crucial to the Braamfontein-based club. Since joining Wits in 2013, Hunt delivered two third-place finishes and a second before reaching the summit. This is his fourth PSL title – adding to the three he won in 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 with SuperSport United. The Students are improving every season and that’s because they have an excellent teacher.
“The club brought me here wanting to win and we’ve been okay. We’ve got into cup finals and we’ve done a little bit here and there but this is the ultimate. Two trophies this year has been good, you can’t ask for more.” Hunt told KickOff.
There is room for improvement as Wits failed to make the group stages of the CAF Champions League or CAF Confederation Cup this year. However, they’ll be hungry for more success next season and add to their trophy cabinet.
Written by Chad Nagel