Wits stunned by Birds

Brazilian defender Davi Rancan played a star role for Moroka Swallows and passage into the second round of the Nedbank Cup in a 3-1 win over 10-man BidVest Wits after extra time in their hard fought first round cup-tie played at Olympia Park last night.

Rancan scored in the 110th minute and set up Lefa Tsutsulupa first goal in the 74th minute and played a blinder at centre half alongside Fabian McCarthy.

But the defeat was even worse for Wits when midfielder Sandile Sibande was sent off by referee Victor Hlungwani in the 84th minute for a second bookable offence.

When the game went to extra time it was all uphill for the Students playing a man short. A goal in the 74th minute from Birds captain Tsutsulupa put Swallows ahead but a last minute goal from Tebogo Langerman took the match into extra time.

The Students seemed to have had a good penalty appeal turned down by referee Hlungwani in the 52nd minute when Calvin Kadi appeared to be upended by Birds defender Fabian McCarthy inside the penalty area.

The Students had the better of a tactical first half in which neither side gave much away by trying to cancel each other out. Wits had the better chances. - Sapa