Kaizer Chiefs lost 2-1 to Bidvest Wits in an Absa Premiership at Johannesburg’s Bidvest Stadium on Tuesday evening. The Students got 2-0 up, before Amakhosi got a goal back thanks to a Lorenzo Gordinho header.

Steve Komphela decided to start with Hendrick Ekstein, who had done well in Chiefs’ 2-0 win over Orlando Pirates in the Carling Black Label Champions Cup, while Ramahlwe Mphahlele was handed his debut in an official match.

The home side dominated the first half, even though Chiefs started the match relatively well.

Wits looked threatening whenever close to the Amakhosi goal, although it didn’t result in many chances.

Chiefs, on the other hand, found the going difficult during the first half, barely getting close to the Wits goal.

The Clever Boys got their opener in the 34th minute thanks to Elias Pelembe after a good cross from the left flank by Sfiso Hlanti.

It was a major set-back for Amakhosi.

Wits also started the second half as the better team, but, slowly, Chiefs tried to go forward more as well.

Coach Komphela decided to start ring the changes in the 57th minute, bringing on Emmanuel Letlotlo for George Lebese, who had a rather quiet game.

Chiefs started to get into goal scoring positions the more the game progressed.

However, slightly against the run of play, the Clever Boys got their second goal in the 65th minute. Daine Klate took a corner, which was well headed in by their captain Thulani Hlatswayo.

Another chance came in the 72nd minute when Zambian striker Lewis Macha was handed his debut, replacing George Maluleka.

Amakhosi didn’t give up easily, trying all to come back in the game.

A free kick was taken in the 82nd minute by William Twala. The tricky winger found Lorenzo Gordinho’s head. The Chiefs defender finished nicely, 2-1, and all of a sudden the visitors were in with a chance to get something out of this first league match of the season.

Letlotlo got a great opportunity to equalise in the dying seconds of the game after some good work by another substitute, Edward Manqele. The talented young striker, however, failed to hit the target.

In the end, Amakhosi lost 2-1, a rather disappointing start to the season. On the other hand, there are still many games to play to make up for this loss. It’s still early days.

Chiefs next face Cape Town City in the quarterfinal of the MTN8 at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday, 26 August (kick-off is at 20:00).

Kaizer Chiefs: (0) 1 (Gordinho 82’)

Bidvest Wits: (1) 2 (Pelembe 34’, Hlatswayo 65’)

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Moleko, Mphahlele, Gordinho, Masilela; Twala, Katsande, Maluleka (Macha 72’), Lebese (Letlotlo 57’); Ekstein, Parker (Manqele 82’)

Bidvest Wits: Josephs; Allie, Hlatswayo, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti; Pelembe (Khumalo 90’), Mlambo, Monare, Klate (Gome 69’); Rodgers (Malajila 86’), Mhango