PSL

Late Wits equaliser frustrates Chiefs in Soweto

You are currently viewing Late Wits equaliser frustrates Chiefs in Soweto

Kaizer Chiefs missed the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the Absa Premiership table after playing out to a 1-1 draw with Bidvest Wits on Wednesday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Gavin Hunt made four changes to his side defeated by Mamelodi Sundowns over the weekend as Ricardo Goss, Zitha Macheke and Rowan Human returned to the squad, while handing youngster Keenan Phillips his debut.

Samir Nurkovic should have broke the deadlock in the 13th minute but Ricardo Goss produced a good save to tip the Serbian’s header over the crossbar.

Amakhosi had another opportunity to take the lead a minute later but Billiat’s blazed his shot wide of the target.

The Students had their first real chance at goal in the 34th minute but Rowan Human fired his effort wide after taking a shot from distance.

Chiefs then broke the deadlock two minutes later when Samir Nurkovic headed the ball home from close range after latching on to Lebogang Manyama’s corner kick.

Nurkovic almost doubled his sides lead with five minutes left till the break but the Chiefs striker’s attempt sailed wide of target.

Amakhosi managed to hold on to their lead over Wits as the game went into half time.

The Soweto giants showed their intent early in the second half and should’ve made it 2-0 when Leonardo Castro picked out Billiat, who failed to make the most of his chance by firing his strike over the crossbar.

At the other end, Wits failed to make the most of a chance in the 50th minute as Bienvenu Eva Nga’s low drive was well saved by Daniel Akpeyi, who got down low to smother the ball.

Amakhosi continued to pressure Wits at the back but Goss was up for the challenge as he produced a good save to deny Castro from close range.

The Students were knocking on Amakhosi’s door after 63 minutes of play, but were unable to capitalise on their chances in the final third as Eva Nga guided his shot straight to Akpeyi.

Chiefs, meanwhile, nearly doubled their lead with three minutes to go but Nurkovic hit the woodwork with his attempt against the run of play.

The Clever Boys’ persistence finally paid off in the 88th minute as they managed to level matters after Cole Alexander slotted the ball home with a neat finish from close range.

Both teams pressed forward in the closing stages, but neither side were able to find the winning goal as the match ended all square at the Orlando Stadium.