Chiefs on course

05 March 2015 - 02:36 By Mark Gleeson
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NO WAY THROUGH: Mosa Lebusa of Ajax Cape Town tries to dispossess George Maluleka of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership match between Amakhosi and the Urban Warriors at FNB Stadium, outside Soweto, last night
NO WAY THROUGH: Mosa Lebusa of Ajax Cape Town tries to dispossess George Maluleka of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership match between Amakhosi and the Urban Warriors at FNB Stadium, outside Soweto, last night
Image: LEFTY SHIVAMBU/GALLO IMAGES

Kaizer Chiefs laughed aside claims of potential panic in the Absa Premier Soccer League title race to restore a double-digit gap at the top of the standings as they beat Ajax Cape Town 1-0 at FNB Stadium last night.

Mandla Masango's goal after 15 minutes settled any nerves there might have been after Amakhosi had picked up just a single point from their first two league games of the new year.

Victory took Chiefs to the 50-point mark for the season and also provided a morale booster ahead of Saturday's derby against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates.

They are now 10 points above their nearest challengers in the table with nine league matches left. It was a disciplined showing from Chiefs, who took no risks, sat back and allowed Ajax a lot of possession.

But Chiefs did not have as much attacking spark as usual and lost a little more possession but this was their 13th clean sheet out of 21 matches this season.

Masango finished off from close range after a sweeping move.

Matthew Rusike provided a diagonal ball that allowed Siboniso Gaxa to push forward on the right and play a square ball into the penalty area.

George Lebese flicked goal-wards with a clever touch. Anssi Jaakkola made a stop but the rebound fell perfectly for Masango to sweep home for his sixth league goal of the season.

Ajax had seven attempts on goal to Chiefs' three in the first half yet did not trouble goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

Ajax's only real effort fell for Erwin Isaacs in the 23rd minute but he fluffed it after good work on the right flank by Cecil Lolo.

One setback for Chiefs was a twisted ankle for key midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who is now doubtful for the derby.

Tshepang Mailwane reports from Charles Mopeli Stadium in the Free State that Eric Tinkler was right that Free State Stars do know how to grind out a result.

Ea Lla Koto proved it yet again when they held Tinkler's Orlando Pirates to a 1-1 draw last night.

Relegation-threatened Stars have not won a game this year but have not lost either, registering their fourth straight draw.

Stars came from behind to secure a point, with Moeketsi Sekola netting his ninth goal of the season seven minutes before the break to cancel out Kermit Erasmus's eighth-minute strike.

The visitors were looking for a win to further boost their confidence ahead of Saturday's crunch Soweto derby.

Pirates will go into the derby 14 points behind Amakhosi. Erasmus continued to do the business in Lehlohonolo Majoro's absence, coolly slotting home the opening goal with his left foot.

Bucs, however, found themselves on the backfoot. As the half progressed Stars settled and started knocking the ball around.

Ea Lla Koto finally got the goal they were looking for seven minutes before the break and it was a great finish from Sekola.

Sekola let rip with a first-time shot just outside the area after he was played in by Katlego Mashego.

  • Polokwane City and Chippa United played to a 1-1 draw at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth last night.
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