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Title not guaranteed - Yeye

Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane believes their 15-point lead at the top of the Premiership table does not guarantee them the championship at the end of the season.

"There is still a lot of work that needs to be done in order to ensure that the title is ours," Letsholonyane said.

"Nothing has been won yet so we can't think like we are already champions. We have to get back to it and stay focused on what we want to achieve."

Chiefs sit comfortably at the summit of the table with 46 points from 18 games. Trailing behind are Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns with 31 points each.

Their domestic campaigns resumes next week after a record-setting first-half of the season by Amakhosi. The Naturena outfit are yet to taste defeat after a run of 14 wins and four draws.

They also set a new domestic record of 15 consecutive wins in all competitions, a run that yielded them the MTN8 title.

Chiefs return to action with a league clash against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Free State Stadium on February 11.

After relinquishing a similar type lead last season, Letsholonyane said the team had learned its lesson.

"We have told ourselves that the mistakes from last season cannot be repeated," he said.

"The boys are determined to do well. We learned our lesson when we were beaten to the title."

The midfield maestro, affectionately known as "Yeye", could only watch with disbelief as Chiefs surrendered their 11-point lead to eventual champions Sundowns last season.

With 12 games remaining in their campaign, the Glamour Boys were determined to carry forward their fine form.

"It's important that we continue to play well. We need to get going early.

"The first two games will be key in taking us forward."

Chiefs would have to adapt after the departure of regular-starter Kingston Nkhatha. The Zimbabwean striker joined SuperSport United during the January transfer window period.

Chiefs went on to secure the services of striker David Zulu from Chippa United as their busy season ahead also includes Caf Champions League and Nedbank Cup obligations.

They kick-start their continental campaign with an encounter against Botswana's Township Rollers at the FNB Stadium on February 14.

The Bafana Bafana international said Chiefs better prepared for the Champions League this time around.

"Last year we didn't do so well but we have another shot in Africa. We are working on a few things that we needed to fix," Letsholonyane said.

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