PSL 2018/19: Bidvest Wits vs Kaizer Chiefs

The biggest match of the past week saw South African league leaders Bidvest Wits face Kaizer Chiefs. The game saw two astute tactical managers do battle. Although coming from a loss to Mamelodi Sundowns, Chiefs looked to carry on their rise under German Ernst Middendorp. Meanwhile, four-time PSL winning Coach Gavin Hunt was looking to entrench his lead at the top of the table with his Wits side.

This analysis will look at the key moments, interesting tactical duels and statistics that secured this game as a tactical managerial master class.

Line-ups  

Home team Bidvest Wits lined up in the 4-4-2 that manager Gavin Hunt prefers, especially in high profile games. Hunt opted for the hardworking ‘double six’ combination of Thabang Monare and Cole Alexander. The pair’s hardworking qualities were a key part of Wit’s strategy to nullify Kaizer Chiefs central combination play, as we’ll show later.

Thulani Hlatshwayo played as the touchline-shy full-back with Sifiso Hlanti on the other side. Elias Pelembe and Deon Hotto flanked Cole Alexander and Thabang Monare, while Terrence Dzvukamanja and Mxolisi Macuphu played up front.

Kaizer Chiefs line up was a 3-5-2, with Kgotso Moleko and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya on either flank of the five-man midfield and George Maluleka playing deep. The defence consisted of Daniel Cardoso, Mario Booysens and Teenage Hadebe. Lebogang Manyama played in the advanced central playmaker position alongside Hendrick Ekstein and behind Colombian Leonardo Castro and Khama Billiat.

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