Amakhosi top striker David Radebe put the visitors in the driving seat on 24 minutes converting a rebound after Swallows keeper Arthur Bartman could not deal with a powerful shot from Rene Richards.

Radebe completed his brace on 64 minutes following a long punt from defender Cyril Nzama and the striker did well under pressure from the Swallows defence to chest control before sending a cracking shot into the net.

Second half substitute Arthur Zwane, who replaced youngster Rene Richards on 68 minutes, added the third goal two minutes after his arrival on the field. Radebe played the ball to Moshoeu who did not waste time in laying through to Zwane.

Swallows pulled a goal back through Lucas Sebona with the Chiefs defence seemingly at sea on 73 minutes. The home side won a free-kick on the right side of the box and hardworking midfielder Jabulani Mendu swung in a good delivery and visitors could not immediately deal with the threat allowing Sebona a chance to pounce.

The goal seemed to have inspired Swallows, who needed to win to consolidate their place on second spot, and they attacked with more urgency with Chiefs defence frantically trying to preserve their lead. Zwane was penalised for a professional foul in the box, as he appeared to use his hand to stop the ball and the referee awarded Swallows a penalty that was converted by defender Gary McNab two minutes before the final whistle.

There were some anxious moments for the Chiefs bench earlier in the game when inspirational midfielder John Moshoeu was stretched off the field on 26 minutes with a broken nose after a collision with a Swallows player. However, Moshoeu was back on the field after five minutes to inspire the Glamour Boys to this crucial win.

The former Bafana Bafana veteran was, along with Zimbabwean junior international Tenashe Nengomashe, particularly impressive in midfield where most of the Amakhosi attacks were engineered.

Rodney Thobejane along with Nhlanhla Kubeka were also impressive in defence as they contained the lethal Swallows attack but Kubeka could not see the game through with injury forcing him out on 22 minutes. Gary Goldstone came on his place.

Moshoeu was unlucky to see his shot parried for a corner by the Swallows keeper three minutes into first half stoppages following a good run between Radebe and DR Congo hitman Kabamba Musasa. The home side were probably the happiest to see the end of the half with the scoreline still 0-1.

The second half was a different kettle of fish as the Birds came back with guns blazing and almost cancelled the Amakhosi goal advantage with keeper Brian Baloyi producing a fine safe to deny Lucas Sebona on 56 minutes.

Chiefs could have scored more than three but Musasa appeared to have left his scoring boots at home as he fluffed every opportunity that came his way. After Radebe had done all the hard work and delivered a good cross to Musasa, the DRC international could not put the ball beyond the Swallows keeper.

Again on 73 minutes with the Swallows keeper stranded in no man's land, Musasa tried without success to flick the ball over and when it fell into his path again, the Birds defence was at hand to clear danger. Four minutes later Musasa was denied by good goalkeeping from Bartman following a fine delivery from Zwane.

Score he might have not, but Musasa made a sterling contribution, as he was involved in every build-up and played a part in some of the goals.

Swallows remain second with 53 points from 29 games but they can still be overtaken by third-placed SuperSport United if they fail to win their last match of the season against Golden Arrows in case United win their final fixture away to Hellenic.

Teams:

Swallows: Bartman; Seneo, Christian, McNab, Motale; Isaks (Comboio 71), Ngubeni (Jordan 56), Mendu, Sebona; Ndlovu (Manuels 71), Kasinauyo

Chiefs: Baloyi; Mabedi, Kubeka (Goldstone 22) , Thobejane, Nzama; Nengomasha, Moshoeu, Fredericks, Richards (Zwane 69); Musasa (Mushangazike 88), Radebe

Referee: Ace Ncobo

Assistants: S Jibiliza, W Mochubela

Bookings: Mendu 24, Baloyi 66, Musasa 83, Zwane 89, Goldstone 91.