Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela paid a heavy price for his less expansive approachto the game when Bidvest Wits denied his side a place in the Telkom Knockout (TKO)final.
Chiefs were set to progress to their second TKO final in three seasons, but with Komphela starting the match with five defenders and only Bernard Parker up front,those hopes were dashed by Wits striker James Keene, who headed in the solitarygoal in the 28th minute.
Wits will relish the opportunity to win a third TKO trophy after being denied that chance by Orlando Pirates, who beat them 3-1 in 2011. The scorching Johannesburg sun contributed to a slow start to proceedings in this encounter.
It was only after referee Victor Gomez gave Chiefs midfielder Wiseman Meyiwa what looked like a harsh red card in the 27th minute that the pace and shape of the matchtook a dramatic turn.
Meyiwa was adjudged by Gomez to have stepped on Daine Klate, who was already onthe turf following a tough challenge from Willard Katsande near the centre of the fieldon the right.
Meyiwa was still on his way to take an early shower when Wits made the most oftheir advantage. Keene scored his second goal in this year's competition, powerfully heading in the ball past a diving Itumeleng Khune after Buhle Mkhwanazi had set him up with another header directly from Phumlani Ntshangase's free kick.
In the early exchanges, Wits looked more threatening as Chiefs allowed the homeside ’s fullbacks to run at them with ease while carrying the ball. With Komphela having chosen to start the match attacking with a lone Parker, it was always going to be difficult for Amakhosi to breach the Wits defence.
But after Komphela improved his attacking options his team created an avalanche ofchances in the second, the most glaring ones falling at the feet of Parker's 65th-minutesubstitute, Dumisani Zuma. Things vastly improved for Chiefs at the start of the second half after Komphela introduced Parker’s partner, Gustavo Paez, for defender Daniel Cardoso.
Cardoso ’s presence on the field was always a luxury for Chiefs, who already had Eric Mathoho, Siyabonga Ngezana, Philani Zulu and Joseph Molangoane all acting as defenders. The defeat will no doubt continue to put pressure on Komphela, who is yet to win a trophy in his third season with Chiefs, who were gunning for their 14th triumph in this competition...