Parker nets twice as Chiefs outwit Wits
Bernard Parker scored a first-half brace as Kaizer Chiefs defeated Bidvest Wits 3-1 in their Absa Premiership clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Monday to extend their lead to five at the top of the log standings.
Wits pulled one goal back through Calvin Kadi before Lehlohonolo Majoro put the result beyond doubt late in the second half.
Stuart Baxter’s men showed their intentions as early as the eightth minute when Kingston Nkhatha controlled a long pass from Siboniso Gaxa inside the box, but his volleyed shot produced a good save from Steven Hoffman.
Five minutes later Chiefs did manage to open the scoring when George Lebese beat his marker on the left before delivering a cross from the by-line which missed Nkhatha at the near post, but Parker was there to finish at the far post.
The hosts had half a chance to level matters in the 25th minute when Terror Fanteni gained possession inside the Chiefs penalty area, but his low shot lacked the pace to trouble Khune, who made a straightforward save in the end.
Wits failed to deal with the quick passing in the Chiefs midfield as well as the forward runs made by both of their fullbacks and in the 32nd minute Jimmy Jambo delivered a dangerous cross which found Nkhatha at the near post, but his flick ended up in the side netting.
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However, the lead was doubled in the 36th minute when the Wits defence failed to clear a cross from Gaxa, allowing Lebese to feed Parker who then shot past Hoffman to grab his brace from close range.
Chiefs had another chance to increase their lead on the stroke of halftime when Nkhatha set the ball up for an onrushing Siphiwe Tshabalala, but his shot went wide of the upright.
Antonio Lopez Habas made a tactical substitution bringing on the more attacking Asive Langwe in place of Ofentse Nato at the start of the second half, and the change worked for them as they started to look more threatening going forward.
The Clever Boys should’ve pulled one goal back in the 53rd minute when Moon beat Jambo on the left before delivering a pinpoint cross to Kadi, but his point-blank header came off Khune's thigh.
Fourteen minutes later Wits had another chance to get themselves back into the game when Langwe went on a weaving run from the right before teeing the ball for Pattison in the centre of the penalty area, but he disappointed as his shot ended up flying over the crossbar.
Wits continued to create chance after chance and in the 69th minute poor marking from Chiefs allowed Isaacs to fire a powerful shot towards goal, but Khune was alert enough as he dived to his left to make a crucial block.
The pressure did eventually pay off in the 80th minute as Kadi volleyed home at the far post from a Langwe cross to set up a scintillating finish.
However, Chiefs secured maximum points nine minutes later when substitute Majoro placed the ball past Hoffman after being put through by a great pass from Letsholonyane.
Bidvest Wits (0) 1 (Kadi 80’)
Kaizer Chiefs (2) 3 (Parker 13’+ 36’, Majoro 89’)
Bidvest Wits: Hoffman, Mabizela, Mokoena, Pattison, Moon, Nengomasha, Kadi, Isaacs (Chapman 75’), Nato (Langwe 46’), Mayinga (Seedat 83’), Fanteni
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Gaxa (Zvasiya 65’), Mathoho, Mashamaite, Jambo, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala, Katsande, Parker, Nkhatha (Majoro 81’), Lebese (Masango 72’)
