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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs remain on top of the Absa Premiership standings after grinding out a 1-0 victory over Baroka FC at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The game was not without controversy as the winning goal scored by Lebogang Manyama in the 39th minute had a suspicion of offside in the build-up.
It was the visitors who started the game brightly and they should have taken the lead after 18 minutes when Richard Mbulu was foiled by Itumeleng Khune after being one-on-one with the Chiefs keeper.
Amakhosi then suffered a blow when Khune, who was only in his second game back from a long-term injury, was forced to be substituted with what looked like a groin strain.
Daniel Akpeyi replaced the Bafana shot-stopper and was immediately called into action as he saved smartly from a close-range header by Mbulu.
Chiefs took the lead close to the end of the first half when Manyama followed up and tapped into an empty net after Lazarous Kambole was denied by Baroka keeper Elvis Chipezeze.
Replays showed that Kambole should have been flagged offside when he received a pass from Khama Billiat as the Zambian made his run to soon but it was missed by the match officials.
Bakgaga threw everything at the hosts in the second half with Akpeyi having to pull off several saves to keep his team ahead.
Chiefs were not without chances to extend their advantage with Kambole not taking the right options in promising positions while Billiat also hit the cross-bar.
Baroka almost got the equaliser they deserved when, in stoppage time, Gerald Phiri Jnr and Martin Nsimba were denied by the woodwork in quick succession.
To show that Baroka could feel aggrieved by the result, Chiefs keeper Akpeyi received the man of the match award after not even starting the game.
