An own goal from Moeneeb Josephs five minutes from time handed defending champions Kaizer Chiefs a hard fought 2-1 victory over Bidvest Wits in an Absa Premiership game at FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.

Kingston Nkhatha gave Chiefs the lead just after the break before Ryan Chapman levelled matters for Wits.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter made three changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Ajax Cape Town in midweek.

Kingston Nkhatha, Siyabonga Nkosi and Willard Katsande returned to the starting XI for the Glamour Boys with Baxter opting to scrap the three centre back policy.

Meanwhile Wits coach Gavin Hunt also made three changes to the outfit that beat varsity rivals AmaTuks in midweek.

Tinashe Nengomasha,Bhongolwethu Jayiya, and Benjani Mwaruwari were included in the starting line-up in place of Ryan Chapman,Calvin Kadi, Matthew Pattison.

Both goalkeepers remained untroubled in the first 10 minutes of the encounter as both side’s looked to feel each other out.

Siyabonga Nkosi probably should’ve given the home side the lead in the 17th minute of the encounter.

Siphiwe Tshabalala's shot from range was parried by Moeneeb Josephs into the way of Nkosi who could only manage to scuff his shot off target.

Chiefs controlled possession in the early exchanges, but Wits looked dangerous on the counter-attack and went close on the counter through Onismor Bhasera seven minutes later.

The Zimbabwean made a driving run through the heart of the Glamour Boys defence before unleashing an effort at goal, Itumeleng Khune though was up to the task.

Kingston Nkhatha, who has been a target for the boo boys over the past month or so, missed a sitter in the 29th minute. Tshabalala made a driving run down the left before laying it on a platter for Nkhatha who somehow put his effort wide of goal from point black range.

Both sides had a couple of half chances before the break with Bernard Parker and former Chiefs player Bhasera notably failing to convert.

Goalless at the break.

Nkhatha made up for his earlier miss, heading home three minutes into the second stanza. The Zimbabwean striker nodded Bernard Parker’s precise cross past Josephs to bag his second goal of the campaign.

The former Black Leopards forward had an opportunity to complete his brace in the 58th minute, but he was unable to beat Josephs from an acute angle.

Morgan Gould was lucky not to have been sent for an early shower on the hour mark following a clear punch on Getaneh Kebede.

Second half substitute Ryan Chapman levelled matters in the 66th minute of the game.

Matthew Booth won an aerial battle with Gould before setting up Chapman who guided the ball past Khune, it was a clinical finish by the Clever Boys striker.

Wits continued to dominate proceedings, with the Glamour Boys looking a bit fatigued as the game drew to an end, but an own goal from Moeneeb Josephs five minutes from time handed the Glamour Boys the three points.

George Lebese picked out Lehlohonolo Majoro who’s header cannoned off the crossbar before being turned into the back of his own net by Josephs.

Kaizer Chiefs remain in sixth spot despite the victory, while Wits slip down to fifth on the Absa Premiership log.

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 2 (Nkhata 48’ Jospehs [og] 85’) Bidvest Wits (0) 1 (Chapman 66’)

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Gaxa, Gould, Mashamaite, Masilela, Katsande, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala (Mathoho 90+4’), Nkosi (Lebese 79’), Parker, Nkhatha (Majoro 79’)

Bidvest Wits: Josephs; Gumede, Booth (Langwe 86’), Nangomasha, Vilkazi, Jayiya (Getaneh 56’), Faty, Nhlapo, Bhasera, Benjani (Chapman 56’), Mngonyama