Masilela praises defensive efforts

Johannesburg - Though much of the attention has been on Kaizer Chiefs' prowess in front of goal so far this season, Tsepo Masilela says the Amakhosi's defensive efforts deserve plenty of praise.

Read: Maluleka aiming for Bafana spot

Chiefs extended their run of consecutive victories to an impressive 15 on Sunday afternoon, breaking Mamelodi Sundowns' seven-year record of wins across domestic competitions.

"It's a great feeling. For the team as a whole, if you don't concede, you have a better chance of winning the game," Masilela said in Johannesburg on Monday morning.

"Not to say that we must play a defensive game, but it's nice not to concede, to come out of games without a goal against us."

Masilela is yet to miss a game this season and made his 13th appearance of the season on Sunday as Chiefs crept past Ajax Cape Town in the Mother City, thanks to a goal from fellow defender Tefu Mashamaite.

The second-half header was enough to bag maximum points for the Soweto giants, but Masilela revealed Stuart Baxter's frustrations at half-time.

According to Masilela, Baxter was forced to dish out some tough talk in the change-room, resulting in a turnaround in the second 45.

The Bafana Bafana international, though, said he was encouraged by the team's ability to come away with a win, despite a below-par performance.

"Maybe it's a good sign. We're not conceding but we'd love to perform and get the result. We'd love to have both."

Chiefs last lost in the Premiership in April this year, making it 13 games without defeat.

Looking ahead to their game on Wednesday, where Chiefs could make 14 without defeat against Moroka Swallows, Masilela feels although they may be struggling, the Birds will still pose a threat to their record.

"For us, every game that we play now feels like a cup final because we've been on a good run.

"Every team that comes up against us wants to be the one that stops us.

"Because they are playing against Kaizer Chiefs, they'll be extra motivated. I do get the feeling that every game, or every team that we play against, will be a tough game but we expect that."