Premier Soccer League

Cole Alexander’s late goal denies Kaizer Chiefs maximum points

Kaizer Chiefs missed the chance to move six points clear at the top of the Absa Premiership after dropping points against Bidvest Wits.

Chiefs made five changes from their last outing back in March, with Khama Billiat, Willard Katsande, Kgotso Moleko and Yagan Sasman all returning alongside a surprise start for Nkosingiphile Ngcobo. On the other hand, Wits made four alterations, as they welcomed back goalkeeper Ricardo Goss and right-back Zitha Macheke alongside Rowan Human while youngster Keenan Phillips was handed his debut.

Amakhosi came close to going ahead in the 14th minute after Samir Nurkovic latched onto Ngcobo’s long diagonal cross but Goss made an acrobatic save to tip his effort over the crossbar.

Gavin Hunt’s charges were struggling to get out of their own half for most of the stanza, as the Soweto giants took control of the encounter from the onset.

Ernst Middendorp’s army finally broke the deadlock with ten minutes remaining of the first stanza after Nurkovic glanced home a header from from Lebogang Manyama’s corner-kick for his 12th league goal of the season.

Chiefs Vs Wits

Nurkovic had a good chance to double the lead for Chiefs five minutes before the break after Billiat sent him up clear on goal on the right side of the box, but the Serbian could only manage a tame shot from a tight angle.

The Clever Boys had a great chance to equalise deep in first-half stoppage time after goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi spilled a long range free-kick from Deon Hotto, while Cole Alexander saw his goal-bound shot headed away by Moleko close to the line.

Hunt’s troops came close to levelling matters four minutes inside the second stanza after Bienvenu Eva Nga went through on the right side of the box but his low strike was saved by Akpeyi, before Leonardo Castro dribbled his way past the Wits defence to go one-on-one with Goss at the near post but his low shot was smothered by the Wits goalkeeper minutes later.

Chances were few and far between after the hour-mark, although Wits were pinning back Amakhosi in their own half while the Clever Boys were forced to make a substitution in the last 20 minutes, as Mxolisi Macuphu replaced the injured Molahlehi Khunyedi.

Wits Vs Chiefs

Middendorp’s men were under pressure in the last ten minutes, which saw the German coach made a double change with seven minutes left, as Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya came on for Sasman while Moleko was replaced by Bernard Parker.

Nurkovic came close to sealing the game for the Glamour Boys with a curling effort from the edge of the box that beat Goss but came off the bar.

Moments later at the other end, Wits equalised after Alexander’s sweeping strike beat Akpeyi into the bottom corner to secure a share of the spoils in their first league game since March.

Here’s how they lined up:

Chiefs: 40. Akpeyi, 18. Moleko, 4. Cardoso, 3. Mathoho, 20. Sasman, 31. Katsande, 21. Manyama, 37. Ngcobo, 11. Billiat, 8. Castro, 9. Nurkovic.

Subs: 44. Bvuma, 25. Parker, 6. Baccus, 2. Mphaphele, 7. Kambole, 5. Agay, 45. Blom, 8. Zuma, 36. Ntiya-Ntiya.

Wits: 23. Goss, 3. Hlatshwayo, 29. Gordinho, 24. Macheke, 10. Domingo, 11. Hotto, 14. Nange, 17. Alexander, 31. Human, 33. Phillips, Dzvukamanja.

Subs: 16. Mhlongo, 8. Monare, 19. Eva Nga, 27. Ritchie, 28. Macuphu, 26. Khunyedi, 36. Sekgota, 38. Mathebula, 41. Mlonyeni.

Result: Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 Bidvest Wits

Date: 12 August 2020

Venue: Orlando Stadium