Somehow Bidvest Wits conspired to miss a string of excellent chances and allow Kaizer Chiefs to pickpocket an unlikely 1-0 Absa Premiership victory at Bidvest Stadium last night.
A disjointed Chiefs had hardly had a chance in the game against Wits’ high intensity performance before George Maluleka put Amakhosi ahead with a 59th-minute free-kick.
It is that time of the season where coaches are left juggling injuries and suspensions.
Wits had Nazeer Allie, Onismor Bhasera and Phumlani Ntshangase injured, though James Keene overcame his fears and Ben Motshwari was back from suspension.
Yet coach Gavin Hunt only had to make three unenforced changes from the Clever Boys’ 1-0 away victory against Golden Arrows on Saturday – Paseka Sekese for Sibusiso Vilakazi at playmaker, Keene for Henrico Botes at striker and Daine Klate at left-wing ahead of youngster Keoikantse Mosiatlhaga.
Chiefs coach Steve Komphela moved Clifford Moleko from right-back, where he had covered for Siboniso Gaxa in Amakhosi’s 3-2 home victory against Maritzburg United, to left-back for suspended Tshepo Masilela.
Gaxa returned from the bench to start, and Mulomowandau Mathoho and Reneilwe Letsholonyane returned from suspension for Siyanda Xulu and Lucky Baloyi.
William Twala came in for injured wing George Lebese.
Both teams served up an electrifyingly-paced game befitting of sides who came into the match in second (Wits) and fourth (Chiefs) on the log.
Wits dominated the first half, creating opportunities and pinning Chiefs on the back foot.
Daine Klate’s diving header forced a save from Chiefs goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse. From Klate’s resultant corner Motswari shot wide.
Against the run of play, Siphiwe Tshabalala’s goal-bound shot from the right was cleared by Bongani Khumalo’s header.
The Clever Boys had a penalty appeal turned down 10 minutes into the first half by referee Victor Gomes, as Mahlambi went down.
Khumalo’s handball at the other end resulted in a free-kick 2m outside the area, from which Maluleka placed a low shot past the wall, and stranded keeper Moeneeb Josephs.
Still Wits had the best chances. Mahlambi made ground down the right and fed James Keene, with only Pieterse’s spectacular save – one of three in the second half – denying the Englishman.
Chiefs snatch a win over Students
A disjointed Chiefs had hardly had a chance in the game against Wits’ high intensity performance before George Maluleka put Amakhosi ahead with a 59th-minute free-kick.
It is that time of the season where coaches are left juggling injuries and suspensions.
Wits had Nazeer Allie, Onismor Bhasera and Phumlani Ntshangase injured, though James Keene overcame his fears and Ben Motshwari was back from suspension.
Yet coach Gavin Hunt only had to make three unenforced changes from the Clever Boys’ 1-0 away victory against Golden Arrows on Saturday – Paseka Sekese for Sibusiso Vilakazi at playmaker, Keene for Henrico Botes at striker and Daine Klate at left-wing ahead of youngster Keoikantse Mosiatlhaga.
Chiefs coach Steve Komphela moved Clifford Moleko from right-back, where he had covered for Siboniso Gaxa in Amakhosi’s 3-2 home victory against Maritzburg United, to left-back for suspended Tshepo Masilela.
Gaxa returned from the bench to start, and Mulomowandau Mathoho and Reneilwe Letsholonyane returned from suspension for Siyanda Xulu and Lucky Baloyi.
William Twala came in for injured wing George Lebese.
Both teams served up an electrifyingly-paced game befitting of sides who came into the match in second (Wits) and fourth (Chiefs) on the log.
Wits dominated the first half, creating opportunities and pinning Chiefs on the back foot.
Daine Klate’s diving header forced a save from Chiefs goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse. From Klate’s resultant corner Motswari shot wide.
Against the run of play, Siphiwe Tshabalala’s goal-bound shot from the right was cleared by Bongani Khumalo’s header.
The Clever Boys had a penalty appeal turned down 10 minutes into the first half by referee Victor Gomes, as Mahlambi went down.
Khumalo’s handball at the other end resulted in a free-kick 2m outside the area, from which Maluleka placed a low shot past the wall, and stranded keeper Moeneeb Josephs.
Still Wits had the best chances. Mahlambi made ground down the right and fed James Keene, with only Pieterse’s spectacular save – one of three in the second half – denying the Englishman.
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