Kaizer Chiefs came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against BIDVest Wits in front of a capacity crowd at the Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela, in an Absa Premiership clash which saw its kick off time delayed by 20 minutes as fans made their way into the stadium.

Wits took the lead on 20 minutes when Patrick Phungwayo was able to take advantage of a defensive lapse and set up Sifiso Vilakazi for the game opener, Chiefs drew themselves level in the 58th minute when Mandla Masango set up Reneilwe Letsholonyane for the Amakhosis equalizer.

Tshabalala swung a corner from the left towards the far post in the 6th minute the ball flicked on to an unmarked Thomas Sweswe, who hit the ball at the first time of asking unfortunately his effort lacked direction and sailed over the post.

The Students took the lead in the 20th minute in somewhat strange circumstances, Phungwayo attacked down the left flank and tried curling the ball towards goal instead Jimmy Tau was able to block the ball which looked to be headed out for a corner.

A mix up between Valery Nahayo and Itumeleng Khune saw Chiefs keep the ball in play and it fell back to Phungwayo who hacked the ball over the head of Punch Masenamela and Sifiso Vilakazi met the ball with his head and got it past Sweswe stationed on the goal line to put the Students in front.

If the first half was void of attacking content the crowd which numbered around 42 000 would have been well pleased with the play in the second stanza, Wits conjured up the first chance of the half in the 54th minute.

Sifiso Myeni sent a free kick over the Chiefs wall Vilakazi timed his run perfectly and headed the ball at Khune who climbed up and tipped the ball over his post to safety.

Sensing they needed to turn the tide Chiefs went on the offensive and began to pile on the pressure, Mthokozisi Yende started off the onslaught with a thunderous shot at goal from the edge of the Wits 18 yard area and he had Darren Keet at full stretch to keep the ball out on 54 minutes.

Two minutes later Keet came out and made a daring save at the feet of Chiefs midfielder Msango, the Wits keeper though was helpless to prevent Chiefs from drawing level on 58 minutes.

Tinashe Nengomasha won the ball on the right cut across and rolled the ball to Masango who in turn played the perfect ball to Letsholonyane who placed the ball to the left of the keeper to draw the teams level.

Seven minutes from the end Wits substitute Ryan Chapman evaded a challenge from Khune and rounded the Chiefs keeper, he looked up and saw Nahayo and Nengomasha defending the goal line he tried to chip the ball over but his effort came crashing off the cross bar. .

In second half stoppage time Letsholonyane picked up a loose ball which was bobbing around in the Wits 6 yard area, as the ball fell to him he attempeted to drive it past Keet but it hit the Wits keeper and went out for a corner.

The game finished 1-1 the teams will have the chance to reacquaint themselves when they clash in a Nedbank Cup Round of 16 clash at the BIDVest Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon.

Line Ups:

Wits: 16. Keet, 5. Chintu, 23. Mashamaite, 35. Spencer, 11. Myeni (7. Haskins 74’), 19. Mngomezulu, 25. Sibusiso Vilakazi (8. Sibande 88’), 26. Sifiso Vilakazi, 28. Fredericks, 33. Phungwayo, 34. Jayiya (14. Chapman 62’)

Cautions: 19. Mngomezulu 78’

Coach: Roger De Sa

Chiefs: 32. Khune, 31. Masenamela, 2. Tau, 13. Nahayo, 3. Sweswe, 6. Letsholonyane, 8. Nengomasha, 14. Tshabalala, 22. Masango , 23. Ngcobo (21. Musona 61’), 10. Yende (17. Lebese 67’)

Cautions: 13. Nahayo 53’, 8. Nengomasha 67’

Coach: Vladimir Vermezovic


Assistant Coach: Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse


Goalkeeper Coach: Rainer Dinkelacker