Forget Wiseman Meyiwa's red card, Kaizer Chiefs initially played not to lose instead of playing to win and paid the price against Bidvest Wits in their Telkom Knockout semifinal at Bidvest Stadium at the weekend.

Meyiwa's sending off for stepping on Daine Klate in the 26th minute undoubtedly made life difficult for them and it didn't help Chiefs' cause that they conceded two minutes later when an unmarked James Keene headed home for the only goal of the match.

Meyiwa explained to his coach Steve Komphela that he thought he was unfairly punished for what referee Victor Gomes deemed to be a foul.

"When I asked him [Meyiwa] what happened, this is exactly what he told me. I asked him did you step on him [Klate] and he said, 'No, as I stood up I was not aware [that Klate was on the ground].' I don't want to go deeper, because I need to see [the incident on video]," Komphela said.

But the big question is how did Chiefs manage to play better with 10 men, especially in the second half, than with 11?

To get answers, you would need to analyse their first half and how they set up from the onset.

Both teams started with three centre-backs. Wits had Buhle Mkhwanazi, Phumlani Ntshangase and Sifiso Hlanti, while Komphela opted for Mulomowandau Mathoho, Daniel Cardoso and Siyabonga Ngezana.

The difference was that Chiefs' central midfielders Willard Katsande and Meyiwa played too deep, which left Wits' Xola Mlambo, who was man of the match, and Thabang Monare with acres of space.

When Chiefs won the ball in defence, most of their players were at the back and by the time they played it to midfield, they were outnumbered.

Ultimately, the pressure told and Wits got the goal. Chiefs were left to chase the game, which was always going to be a big ask considering they were one man short.

Chiefs were better in the second half, because they had no other option but to attack and to do that, they needed a more positive approach, which saw Gustavo Paez replacing Cardoso to add numbers up front. To their credit, Chiefs dominated the whole second half, but were undone by their failure to use their chances.

As a result, Chiefs have missed out on an opportunity to finally win a trophy under Komphela, who has been in charge for two-and-a-half seasons.

With only the League and next year's Nedbank Cup to play for, Komphela has his work cut out in trying to avoid another trophyless season.

"It is sad and you would want to see yourself come out of this, but at the back of circumstances you just have to be more objective and look at what is it that we did wrong," Komphela said.

Chiefs play AmaZulu next in an Absa Premiership encounter on Wednesday at King Zwelithini Stadium (7.30pm).