Chiefs into the semis

Kaizer Chiefs (2) 2, Wits (1) 1

Kaizer Chiefs dumped Wits out of yet another cup competition yesterday, but it was by no means a clinical performance - proving that pre-season didn't fix all Chiefs' problems.

Wits made fewer mistakes than their opponents, but it was the Amakhosi who took their chances, with new signing Bernard Parker scoring on debut.

It was the Clever Boys who took the lead in the 12th minute when Sboniso Gumede rose high in the Chiefs penalty box to squeeze in a header. Itumeleng Khune didn't look too happy to have conceded his first goal of the season but produced some great saves after that - as well as some howlers that Wits didn't take advantage of.

Chiefs, who knocked Wits out of the Nedbank Cup last season, won a penalty in the 18th minute when Parker was fouled in the box.

The new recruit decided to step up and take the spot kick himself, levelling for Amakhosi.

Chiefs experienced a couple of nervy moments as Wits used their wingers - Bhongolwethu Jayiya and Sifiso Myeni - to great effect.

Jayiya got the better of debutant Keegan Ritchie on the left, while Myeni ran rings around Jimmy Tau on the right. However, Chiefs managed to protect their goal from the twin threat.

With the match closely contested, at least in the first half, it was always going to take something special to produce a winner, and Mandla Masango produced what is probably his best goal since joining Chiefs from the development team a few years back. He chipped the three Wits defenders, including goalkeeper Emile Baron, before chasing it down and heading it in to claim the lead.

The Chiefs fans also expected to see a bit more from another one of their acquisitions this season, Lehlohonolo Majoro. But the former Amazulu top marksman (he scored 14 goals last season) seemed to be trying too hard and missed the simplest of chances when he had just Baron to beat.

On a few occasions he was even booed, not a good sign considering the Premier League season hasn't even kicked off yet. Chiefs' first match is against Jomo Cosmos on Saturday, while Wits are away to Maritzburg United on Sunday.

Wits were their vintage self - great out of the starting blocks, but fading when it matters. Their new skipper, Stanton Fredericks, is now playing a deeper role in midfield, where, at 33, he is better placed. He controlled much of the possession, but was substituted when he ran out of gas late in the match.