Josta Dladla and Lehlohonolo Majoro both scored their third goals in as many Absa Premiership games as Kaizer Chiefs defeated Bidvest Wits 2-1 on Wednesday evening.

The two players, who both scored a goal apiece in each of the Amkahosi’s first two games against Jomo Cosmos and Moroka Swallows, netted the opening and winning goals of the game. Their strikes sandwiched an equaliser from the Clever Boys’ Sibusiso Vilakazi.

The victory sees Chiefs retain their 100 percent start to the season and move to nine points. Wits have four points from their opening three games.

The visitors created the first chance of the match on six minutes, with Bhongolwethu Jayiya testing Itumeleng Khune at the near post, but the Amakhosi goalkeeper was equal to the shot.

Just under ten minutes later the Clever Boys threatened again, this time through striker Ryan Chapman who tried to turn home a low cross at the near post, but again the attentions of Khune were enough to prevent a goal.

Chiefs gradually found their rhythm in attack and created a good opportunity in the 18th minute, with Siphiwe Tshabalala firing a volley over the bar after a good knockdown from Kaizer Motaung Jnr.

Five minutes later Khune turned from goalkeeper to creator with a sublime piece of distribution that put Josta Dladla clean through on Wits’ goal, but Energy Murambadoro closed down the attacker very quickly and made a great save.

Khune was in action in the 26th minute, this time in his role as goal minder, saving acrobatically from a Sibusiso Vilakazi header that looked destined to find its way into the back of the net.

The rest of the first half and the early minutes of the second saw the defences tighten up, but Chiefs broke the deadlock almost out of nowhere in the 54th minute.

Tshabalala provided a wonderful cross from the left flank and Dladla scored his third goal of the season with a bullet header that gave Murambadoro absolutely no chance of making a save.

Wits shuffled their pack soon after conceding the goal, sending on Sifiso Vilakazi and Thando Mngomeni. The introduction of the former player paid quick dividends when he helped create an equaliser.

The substitute striker twice beat his marker to the ball to tee up his namesake Sibusiso Vilakazi, who duly fired home a low volley to make it 1-1 in the 68th minute.

The Clever Boys very nearly surged into the lead just a few minutes later, with a deflected cross from Sipho Mngomezulu dropping onto the top of the crossbar, before Sifiso Myeni lobbed an effort over the crossbar under pressure from Khune.

Chiefs responded to the Wits resurgence by introducing striker Majoro off the bench and the former AmaZulu player made an almost immediate impact by restoring the home team’s lead in the 77th minute.

The dreadlocked attacker first helped to create the goal by holding the ball up in the penalty area and then finished the move off with a looping header after meeting Dladla’s cross from the right flank.

Khune was called upon to make one exceptional save as Chiefs defended their lead, palming away a long range shot that skidded through a crowded penalty area, though he was somewhat fortunate that Myeni was unable to turn home the rebound.

Teams

Chiefs: Khune; Tau, Mashamaite, Isaacs, Ritchie; Dladla, Baloyi (Majoro 75’), Nengomasha, Tshabalala (Yende 87’); Parker, Motaung Jnr (Ngcobo 69’)

Wits: Murambadoro; Mngomezulu, Gumede, Mabizela, Phungwayo; Rodrigues (Sif. Vilakazi 63’), Sibande; Jayiya, Sib. Vilakazi (Fredericks 77’), Myeni; Chapman (Mngomeni 67’)