Chiefs put one hand on trophy

Pretoria - Kaizer Chiefs have put one hand on the Premiership trophy as they secured a 1-0 win over University of Pretoria at the Tuks Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Siphiwe Tshabalala's second-half free-kick was all that separated the sides on the night, with the result taking Amakhosi 13 points clear at the top of the standing with just four games remaining this season.

However, the title is not yet mathematically secured, with second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns playing one of their two catch-up games on Wednesday, at home against Bloemfontein Celtic.

Tuks created the first chance of the game after only two minutes as Thabo Mosadi crossed the ball in to find Thabo Mnyamane just eight yards out from goal, but he somehow contrived to put his effort wide.

Amakhosi were then unlucky not to go ahead at the other end as Reneilwe Letsholonyane played George Lebese in behind the defence, but the midfielder saw his low drive clip the outside of the post.

Chiefs almost gifted the hosts the opener a few minutes later as Tefu Mashamaite's weak header back to Reyaad Pieterse was intercepted by Mnyamane, but the goalkeeper did well to make himself big to get in a vital point-blank stop.

Stuart Baxter's men started turning up the heat in the second half, with Lebese forcing a fine low save from Washington Arubi, who could only parry the ball behind, although Bernard Parker was unable to find target with his header from the resulting corner.

Mnyamane was looking Tuks' most likely source for a goal but was unable to test the keeper with an effort after 54 minutes, while the danger then shifted back to the other end of the park, although Katlego Mphela was unable to find the target after meeting Parker's delivery with his head.

The Glamour Boys finally made the breakthrough after 69 minutes, Khethukuthula Zwane bringing down Letsholonyane in a dangerous area, and up stepped Tshabalala to fire home a brilliant free kick.

The hosts looked to run out of ideas after going behind, with the side resorting to long-ball tactics, although the centre-back pairing of Erick Mathoho and Mashamaite made light work of any potential danger.

Letsholonyane then looked to get his name on the score sheet but blazed side an effort from the edge of the area, although Chiefs had already done enough to secure the three potentially defining points.