Kaizer Chiefs beat Bidvest Wits 3-0 in an Absa Premiership clash at Johannesburg’s Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday evening. Bernard Parker scored twice, while the other goal was a header from Erick Mathoho. The Amakhosi are on top of the league log with 33 points from 13 matches.

Amakhosi coach Stuart Baxter made some changes compared to the goalless draw against Polokwane City last week Tuesday. Reneilwe Letsholonyane, back from a one match suspension, and Erick Mathoho returned to the starting line-up, while Morgan Gould and George Lebese started on the bench.

In the early phase of the game both teams checked each other out with no real opportunities until the eight minute when Wits striker Chris Katongo’s shot at goal missed the target.

Chiefs’ first real chance came in the 21th minute and it was immediately a goal when Bernard Parker shot the ball past Wits goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs in the net. The pass was provided by Siphiwe Tshabalala.

Most of the play during the first half happened around the midfield, although this didn’t mean that the game was not interesting, far from it. It was an absorbing battle.

Still, the Amakhosi looked the more dangerous side with Reneilwe Letsholonyane passing the ball around nicely. George Maluleka also looked sharp in midfield, making some good runs.

It was Letsholonyane who could have scored the second goal after a brilliant through ball by Parker. However, the Amakhosi midfielder failed to get the ball past Wits goalkeeper Josephs, who came out of his goal well.

In the end it was Mathoho who scored the second goal with a powerful header after another well-taken free kick by Tshabalala in the 38rd minute.

Wits got their chances and one came from a long range shot, but Chiefs goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo was equal to the task, saving brilliantly with a dive to his right.

All in all, the Amakhosi were the better team during the first half and they deserved to go into the dressing room 2-0 up at halftime.

Meanwhile, Wits coach Gavin Hunt decided the make a double substitution at the start of the second half.

The Clever Boys tried to come back in the came early in the second half, even getting some half chances. However, Chiefs looked threatening whenever counter-attacking.

From one of these quick attacks the Amakhosi scored the third goal and it was again Parker. He finished brilliantly, lifting the ball nicely over the Wits goalkeeper into the empty goal. It was the 69th minute and it was 3-0 with Parker looking sharp and back in form.

Chiefs even got some more chances to score, but in the end it didn’t matter.

The game turned out to be a nice warming-up ahead of the Soweto Derby which will be played at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Parker was deservedly selected as the Absa Premiership Man of the Match.

Bidvest Wits 0

Kaizer Chiefs (2) 3 (Parker 21’, Mathoho 38’, Parker 69’)

Teams:

Bidvest Wits: Josephs, Nhlapo, Hlatshwayo (C), Kwakman, Bhasera, Doutie (Vilikazi 46’), Motshwari, Ntshangase, Shongwe (Zuke 46’), Ngcobo (Getaneh 72’), Katongo

Kaizer Chiefs: Khuzwayo, Gaxa, Mashamaite (C), Mathoho, Masilela, Maluleka (Dladla 90’), Katsande, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala (Tshabalala 77’), Parker, Nkhatha (Masango 86’)