Steve Barker gambled with the starting line-up by handing new signing from Bootlaces Academy in Durban, Thabang Monare, his club debut while right fullback Denis Mokoena made his home debut replacing the suspended Goodman Sauhatsi.

Having had the better exchanges of the opening minutes, and coming close to scoring with debutant Monare almost having the dream start to his AmaTuks career, the deadlocked was finally broken as central defender Warren Bishop coolly slotted home his first of the season. A Mongala free kick that was launched to the back post was headed back across the face of the goal by Monare and after a deflection the ball fell at the feet of Bishop who made no mistake. AmaTuks were enjoying a fairly comfortable night’s work and led 1-0 at the halftime break.

Shortly after the break it was 2-0. A through ball over the top found an onrushing Moleko who calmly took the defender on and lashed home a brilliant shot at the near post giving the goalkeeper no chance. Bishop then made an even bigger contribution to the score line when he headed home his second goal of the match. A wonderful cross from left back Richard Ferreira found an unmarked Bishop who perfectly directed his header into the top left corner of the goal to the delight of the AmaTuks supporters.

Witbank Spurs tried valiantly to find a way back into the game but saw all their best efforts thwarted by goalkeeper Siya Mngoma who was on his way to recording another clean-sheet. Ferreira then picked up an unnecessary yellow card for alleged time-wasting and will miss the next fixture through suspension. With 10 minutes left on the clock some fancy footwork saw Phenyo Mongala score his first of the season with a well-taken goal. A speculative through ball saw Mongala race through the middle of the park and after outstripping the central defenders he calmly outwitted the onrushing goalkeeper with a clever bit of skill before rounding him and rolling the ball into an empty net.

It was a highly efficient performance that should give the AmaTuks players plenty of confidence heading into the crucial midweek fixture away to MP Black Aces who themselves recorded a memorable 1-0 victory at the weekend against Jomo Cosmos. Should AmaTuks win this game in hand they will return to the summit of the Inland Stream and are scheduled to play against Jomo Cosmos on the weekend in a match that could well decide the outcome of this league season.