Once Kaizer Chiefs found a rhythm in the second half to counter Absa Premiership leaders Bidvest Wits’s physicality, they handed the Clever Boys a lesson in finesse in Wednesday night’s 2-0 win at Johannesburg’s Bidvest Stadium.
Amakhosi’s goals came in a classy second half that might have gone a long way towards winning over the doubters of new coach Ernst Middendorp’s technical credentials, the goals arriving from Leonardo Castro in the 58th minute and Hendrick Ekstein in the 78th.
Sometimes Wits are like a crab crawling across a beach sideways. The crab gets results, though; pedantically inching to its side. Each to his own.
Once Chiefs found an increasing, impressive and at times quite attractive rhythm in their passing and touches on the ball in answer to the Wits boa constrictor, the match improved in the second half.
Once they did that, Amakhosi gave the students a lesson in refinement.
Wits coach Gavin Hunt had fullbacks Thulani Hlatshwayo (injury) and Sifiso Hlanti and midfielder Thabang Monare (both suspensions) back from his team’s winning away return from the Christmas break against Free State Stars (2-1), and all three started.
Middendorp retained the 3-5-2 formation that had Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane guessing in Amakhosi’s 2-1 defeat at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
Chiefs had a plan under Middendorp, and it did not involve anything over-exuberant.
But Amakhosi upped the ante upfront from the break, Castro seeking out the ball and opening the score.
Ntiya-Ntiya’s low ball in from the left got the touch-on at the near post from Castro.
Chiefs’ second came from a well-orchestrated buildup.
Ekstein rounded off a move he started in midfield. The ball was worked via Lebogang Manyama to Castro on the left, then substitute Bernard Parker, then back to Ekstein to tap into an open goal.
In the other league game, Free State Stars beat Maritzburg United 2-1.
The visitors came from a goal down to eclipse the Team of Choice, with strikes from Relebogile Mokhuoane and Sinethemba Jantjie leading Ea Lla Koto to a first away win of the season.
Victory moves Stars up to 13th place on the log, five points clear of bottom-placed Maritzburg, who remain winless at home this season.