Kaizer Chiefs lost their first Absa Premiership match this season, breaking the team’s unbeaten run. SuperSport United won 2-0 at home at the Polekwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening. Amakhosi, however, are still on top of the league log with 47 points from 20 matches.

Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter opted to change his side for the match against SuperSport United, deciding to play with three centre-backs. Morgan Gould joined the other two centre-backs Erick Mathoho and captain Tefu Mashamaite.

Siyabonga Nkosi came in for Reneilwe Letsholanyane, who was absent due to the loss of his beloved father.

Matthew Rusike made his first start for the 2014/15 PSL season, although he also started in last weekend’s CAF Champions League match against Botswana’s Township Rollers, scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 win.

Brilliant Khuzwayo was back in goal for this Absa Premiership clash, benching Itumeleng Khune who was between the posts against Rollers.

Tsepo Masilela, who got a knock against Rollers, had to withdraw from the team after the warming-up, being replaced by Siboniso Gaxa, who was originally benched.

The game started as a tight affair with little chances for either side in the first 20 minutes. But the game opened up a bit thereafter. Amakhosi dominated the midfield, with Nkosi working hard. The defence, meanwhile, looked tight, with Mathoho covering more or less the defensive area on the right, while Gaxa covered the left side.

The best chance in the first half came, just before the break, for Mandla Masango after an excellent through-ball from Bernard Parker. Masango, however, shot the ball over the goal.

The first half finished as it started with no goals scored. It was like a game of chess, with both sides testing each other strengths and weaknesses.

The second half barely started when a cross from SuperSport’s right was whipped into the Chiefs box at the far post. Mathoho looked a bit uncertain of his positioning with two Matsatsantsa strikers behind him. It was the home side’s New Zealand international Jeremy Brockie who finished with a header, leaving goalkeeper Khuzwayo little chance.

Soon thereafter, captain Mashamaite got into a great position in SuperSport’s box, only to head the ball to the wrong side of the goalpost.

Amakhosi tried to press SuperSport deeper into their own half. Parker looked lively, even though he didn’t get many goalscoring opportunities. But he looked dangerous whenever trying to set-up something for his teammates.

Siphiwe Tshabalala was brought on for Nkosi in the 69th minute. It was Nkosi’s first start after recovering from a small operation he underwent in January, doing well.

Another change came five minutes later, when new signing David Zulu came on for the hard-working Rusike. Meanwhile, the pressure grew on the SuperSport goal with chances coming for Masango and Gould.

Zulu’s shot from outside the box went straight at the SuperSport goalkeeper, while another opportunity chance arrived in the 85th minute. Mathoho’s ferocious shot was saved by the Matsatsantsa’s goalkeeper, but it bounced off his body into the field. Parker was alert, but his kick unfortunately hit the crossbar.

But then, with Chiefs committing players forward going for the equaliser, Matsatantsa profited on the break, scoring their second goal via Dove Wome in injury-time.

Amakhosi was slightly the better team on the night. However, with no goals forthcoming, the loss was a disappointing, but nonetheless fair result. Although losing by two goals was not a true reflection of the game.

Chiefs’ next game will be at home against Edu Sports in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off at 15:00).

Kaizer Chiefs 0

SuperSport United (0) 2 (Brockie 49’, Wome 91’)

Kaizer Chiefs: Khuzwayo, Mathoho, Gould, Mashamaite, Gaxa (Lebese 88’), Masango, Katsande, Nkosi (Tshabalala 69’), Maluleka, Parker, Rusike (Zulu 74’)

SuperSport United: Williams, Moloi, Daniels, Mkhabela, Khumalo, Phala, Nel, Mathebula, Chapman (Gopane 59’), Brockie (Wome 64’), Nkatha