Wits lose to Chiefs

Bidvest Wits lost to Kaizer Chiefs, who were slender 1-0 winners in an Absa Premiership match at Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday night.

The loss is Wits’ fifth of the season and sees them remain six points adrift of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, but having played a game more.

The win for Chiefs’ is their ninth of the league season and sees them up to third on the table with 35 points, seven adrift of Sundowns but having played a game more.

The first 45 minutes was a half dominated by the home side and Phakamani Mahlambi, in particular, who often used his pace to get the better of the Chiefs' defence.

Mahlambi created the first decent opening of the half in the 12th minute when his cross from the right was met by Diane Klate, but his header was well-saved by the Amakhosi keeper.

A minute later Ben Motshwari met a deep corner into the box from Klate, but the Wits attacker shot inches wide from 14 yards out.
Chiefs were virtually non-existent in attack and only managed one significant shot on goal in the 18th minute, but Siphiwe Tshabalala fired a 24-yard free-kick over the target.

Ten minutes later Mahlambi showed his skill after beating four defenders on his way into the box, but shot flew wide with just the Chiefs keeper to beat from 14 yards out.

Mahlambi wasted another glorious scoring chance in the 35th minute after meeting a long throw-in into the box, but his volley from six yards out whistled just over the crossbar. The half ended 0-0.

The second half saw Chiefs starting to find their feet and they managed to take the lead in the 58th minute courtesy of a set-piece from roughly 20 yards out by George Maluleka.

Six minutes later S’fiso Hlanti almost pulled the home side level, but he saw his 24-yard free-kick superbly tipped over the crossbar by the Amakhosi goalkeeper.

Wits applied pressure on the Chiefs goal after that and came close to an equaliser in the 77th minute when James Keene unleashed a powerful effort from just inside the box, but his effort was saved by Reyaad Pieterse.

Pieterse was at his best again six minutes later when Mahlambi played Keen into space 12 yards out, but the keeper made another brilliant fingertip save.

Pieterse was not going to be beaten on the night and made yet another save in the 95th minute to turn a Hlanti free-kick over the target.

The match ended 1-0 in favour of Chiefs.

Bidvest Wits (0) 0

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Maluleka 58’)

Teams

Bidvest Wits: Josephs, Hlatshwayo, Khumalo, Klate (Botes 72’), Hlanti, Nhlapo, Shongwe (Pelembe 62’), Sekese (Vilakazi 75’), Mahlambi, Keene, Motshwari.

Kaizer Chiefs: Pieterse, Moleko, Mathoho, Gordinho, Gaxa, Katsande, Letsholonyane, Maluleka (Parker 62’), Twala (Matovu 87’), Tshabalala, Abraw (Gould 72).