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Maluleka hands Chiefs victory over Wits

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs moved up to third on the Absa Premiership table following a 1-0 win over Bidvest Wits in a league match at Bidvest Stadium on Tuesday night.

The three point haul takes Chiefs up to third on the table with 35 points, seven points behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns but having played a game more.

The loss for Wits see them remain in second place, only a point above of Chiefs but six behind the Brazilians.

It was a poor opening half from the Amakhosi who struggled to find any rhythm on the ball which resulted in very few chances on goal.

Wits, on the other hand, had no such problems and almost opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Daine Kalte met a right-wing cross from Phakamani Mahlambi, but his header was superbly tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse.

Ben Motshwari almost scored from the resulting corner, but his low volley from roughly 16-yards out skimmed the wrong side of the post.

Chiefs’ first real shot on goal came in the 18th minute courtesy of a Siphiwe Tshabalala free-kick, but his 24-yard attempt went over the target.

The Amakhosi defence went to sleep in the 27th minute which allowed Mahlambi to break into the box after beating four defenders, but the Wits man shot over from 14-yards out.

Mahlambi’s finishing was poor once more ten minute later after meeting a long throw-in into the box, but his volley from close range went just over the target.

Neither side could break the deadlock before the break.

The second half saw Chiefs playing much better football and they made their pressure tell in the 58th minute when a 20-yard free-kick from George Maluleka found the back of the net, 1-0.

Pieterse kept his side in the lead six minutes later when he showed great acrobatics to tip a 24-yard free-kick from S’fiso Hlanti over the target.

The Amakhosi goalkeeper was at his very best seven minutes from time when he denied James Keene from close range with a wonderful save.

In the end Chiefs were able to hold on for their ninth win of the season while handing the Clever Boys their fifth loss.

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