Football: Caf Confederation Cup |15 February 2016

Bidvest Wits brush aside LightStars’ challenge

Local club LightStars were swept aside by South African side Bidvest Wits 3-0 at the Amitié Stadium on Saturday in the preliminary round home leg match of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Confederation Cup.

This fixture was always going to be a tall order for our local team who were introduced to the Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton, Caf acting president Suketu Patel and Seychelles Football Federation chairman President Elvis Chetty before the kick-off.

LightStars had a glorious opportunity to set the cats among the pigeons in front of their home fans as early as the 4th minute as Malagasy Mario Ravo sprung Bidvest Wits’ offside trap to come face to face with goalkeeper Jethren Barr but he inexplicably shot wide to let their opponents off the hook.

The South Africans converted their first real opportunity in the 7th minute from Abednego Musiathlaga’s cross to his skipper Dillon Sheppard who volleyed past goalkeeper Romeo Barra to make it 1-0.

LightStars should have drawn level two minutes later as their new Malagasy import Jacquelin Tovosoa burst through to rifle at goalkeeper Barr who turned his shot onto the post before collecting the loose ball.

Bidvest Wits extended their advantage in the 25th minute as Elias Pelembe filtered a pass to Portuguese striker Joachim Lupeta who tucked the ball home for a 2-0 lead.

The South Africans could have added to the scoreline if not for a brilliant save by goalkeeper Barra just past the half hour mark to deny Lupeta who had connected to Siyabonga Nhlago’s cross.

In the 36th minute, LightStars’ Malagasy striker Paul Bruyelle pounced on a defensive error by Markus Lecki but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Barr to save his teammates’ blushes.

Bidvest Wits should have made it 3-0 in the 41st minute as Sibusiso Vilakazi skipped past a couple of defenders before pulling the ball back to Lupeta who blazed over much to the anger of his coach Gavin Hunt.

The South Africans picked up where they had left off in the second period and in the 55th minute Lupeta set up Vilakazi but goalkeeper Barra was equal to the task to deny him.

A minute later Ravo latched onto a through ball but goalkeeper Barra was quick off his line to stop him in his stride.

Bidvest Wits made it 3-0 in the 64th minute from a good inter-change of play as captain Sheppard exchange passes with Pelembe who lofted a cross to defender Lecki whose free header sailed past goalkeeper Barra for a 3-0 lead.

Barra was called into action again in the 74th minute as Pelembe fed substitute Luvuyo Mkatshana whose shot was blocked by the LightStars goalkeeper as Bidvest Wits cruised to an easy victory in the end.

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt was very happy with the result in this away fixture despite difficult conditions.

Wits will now host LightStars at the Bidvest Stadium in the second long on February 27.

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What they said after the match

Gavin Hunt – Bidvest Wits coach

“We had total domination on this match and should have won by a wider margin in difficult conditions with the heat and artificial pitch. We also did not know what to expect from our opponents but this is a very good result away from home for my team.”

Dillon Sheppard – Bidvest Wits captain

“The weather condition and the artificial pitch were tough for us but we did very well and achieved a good result despite the adverse weather condition.”

James Barra – LightStars coach

“It was not too bad result for my team in our first international match but our problem was that our players showed too much respect for our opponents which cost us dearly.  But nonetheless we had our chances though and if we had taken them, it would have changed the complexion of the match.”

Noelson Jeannot – LightStars captain

“It was not an easy match as our opponents are a very strong team who made things difficult for us. But I also feel we could have done better if we had scored early and not allowed them to dominate the midfield area.”

 R. J-L.