Chiefs land a record 15

Tefu Mashamaite's header just after half-time gave Kaizer Chiefs a 1-0 victory over Ajax Cape Town yesterday and opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier Soccer League standings.

In the process, Chiefs set a PSL record, having now won a record 15 games in a row - two at the end of last season, eight in the league and five in cup competition this season.

The record was previously held by Mamelodi Sundowns.

"We are delighted with the result and the way we showed character," said a smiling Stuart Baxter.

It was a single set-piece that decided the three points as Mashamaite headed home a curling left-footed 49th minute free kick from Siphiwe Tshabalala, who was voted the man of the match.

Chiefs might have had one or two more goals as they dominated the second half; although it was a game with few clear-cut chances for the 40000-strong crowd to savour.

Ajax coach Roger de Sa had spoken in the build-up about trying to stop Chiefs' "runaway train" but his side faded noticeably in the second half after a lively opening 45 minutes.

"Perhaps we were a little naïve," he admitted afterwards.

Ajax midfielder Bantu Mzwakali, only recently returned from injury, was the undoubted star of the first half, forcing a fine save from Brilliant Khuzwayo with his 16th-minute free kick and later stealing possession from Willard Katsande to set up Thabiso Nkoana for a chance that was smothered by Morgan Gould who rose to the occasion on defence.

But play was mostly erratic in the hot conditions with neither side able to find a rhythm or put together any decent passing movements.

Kaizer Chiefs were forced to start without a recognised striker since both Kingston Nkhatha and Bernard Parker were unavailable for selection.

Nkhatha had developed a high fever during the week and Parker could not recover in time from a knock he had received.

It meant Baxter had to innovate and he looked to Tshabalala to take up an unaccustomed role - sitting on top of the Ajax defence and looking to drag the centre backs out of position to make space for others.

But the former Bafana winger was too often found to be standing too wide.

Just before the break Ajax assistant coach Ian Taylor was banished from the bench for swearing at the fourth official, Lwandile Mfiki, igniting a tirade from De Sa that continued into the tunnel at the interval.

After the break Tshabalala was the creative force, sending a strong message to Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba, watching from the VIP seats.