'Clever Boys' teach Amakhosi a lesson
Bidvest Wits ended 14 years of heartache at home to Kaizer Chiefs when they beat Amakhosi 2-1 in their Absa Premiership opener at the Bidvest Stadium on Tuesday night.
Wits took a 1-0 lead into the break after veteran midfielder Elias Pelembe headed home the opener in the 34th minute. The Clever Boys’ captain Thulani Hlatshwayo then exploited some ordinary defending by Chiefs in the 65th minute when he steered in a corner with his head.
It was Chiefs’ first defeat in a season opener since the 2008-09 season. They were totally outplayed in the first half but breathed some life into the contest when defender Lorenzo Gordinho scored a headed goal of his own in the 82nd minute.
Wits were full of energy and were in control for much of the first half. The home side had a claim for handball against Gordinho in the 11th minute, but referee Victor Gomes waved away their appeals.
Wits were creating a lot of problems for the Chiefs defence with top crosses into the penalty area. Veteran winger Daine Klate produced a top ball for Eleazar Rodgers to attack in the 18th minute, but the striker couldn’t get his header on target.
Pelembe also came up with lovely low cross six minutes later into Gabadinho Mhango, but the attacking midfielder just couldn’t get the ball out of his feet to have a crack at goal.
Wits, though, eventually took the lead 11 minutes before the break after Pelembe brilliantly beat his marker at the far post to head in a top cross from left back Sifiso Hlanti.
Mhango then had another chance shortly before the break when he drove forward from midfield. However, his shot was well saved by Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune.
Chiefs started to throw numbers forward in the second half to try and get back in the game, but the Wits defence held firm and pressed the visitors into making a lot of stray passes.
Wits then came up with their second goal of the match when Hlatshwayo rose above the Chiefs defence, with Khune in no man’s land, to score from a corner from the left side.
Chiefs pulled a goal back after Gordinho’s flick from a William Twala free kick
managed to get past Wits goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, who was starting to feel a bit lonely in his penalty area.
But the Wits goalkeeper was definitely alert three minutes into the four added minutes when he saved Edward Manqele’s shot from close range before Emmanuel Letlotlo kicked the rebound over an empty Wits goal.