Kaizer Chiefs beat the University of Pretoria 1-0 in an Absa Premiership clash at Pretoria’s Tuks Stadium on Tuesday evening. Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the winner from a magnificently taken free-kick. Amakhosi continue to be on top of the league log with 60 points from 26 matches.

Reyaad Pieterse replaced the suspended Itumeleng Khune in goal. Coach Stuart Baxter, meanwhile, sat out the second of his two-game suspension with Doctor Khumalo taking over on the bench.

There were about 5 000 spectators in the small Tuks Stadium with the atmosphere being excellent.

Amakhosi nearly got a big shock when Tuks striker Thabo Mnyamane came close to scoring the opening goal inside 30 seconds of play. Pieterse, however, was alert.

Hereafter, Chiefs tried to take control of the game with some neat passing in midfield.

George Lebese looked set to score in the 16th minute, when getting one-on-one with the Tuks goalkeeper, but the ball just rolled past the wrong side of the goalpost.

Barely a minute later, the home side got a formidable opportunity, but Pieterse made a crucial intervention, blocking the ball from going in goal.

The Chiefs goalkeeper was in action again after Erick Mathoho made a slight defensive mistake with Tuks trying to pounce on it. Pieterse made another fine save.

The game was flowing up and down, although the home side had the better chances during the first half.

Tuks had a set-back when their dangerous striker Geoffrey Massa had to be replaced due to injury in the 38th minute.

It was overall not an easy first half for the Amakhosi with Tuks in a fighting spirit, willing to try and hit the target whenever having a chance to do so.

Chiefs started the second half like a house on fire, with Lebese nearly hitting the back of the net barely a minute into play. The Tuks goalkeeper, however, got a finger to it, working the ball to a corner.

The Amakhosi supporters were singing again in numbers, caring for a brilliant vibe in the stadium.

Khumalo decided to ring the changes relatively early, in the 55th minute, bringing on Matthew Rusike for Katlego Mphela. Soon thereafter, another opportunity came Amakhosi’s way, but Lebese failed to hit the target.

Tshabalala found the net in the 70th minute, after an excellently taken free-kick from about 25 metres, leaving the goalkeeper absolutely no chance. It was one the best free-kicks one will see, close to perfection.

Like the first half, the game kept flowing up and down, although this time Chiefs were clearly the better side with Willard Katsande again fighting hard in midfield, winning numerous balls.

Bernard Parker worked his socks off, while Reneilwe Letsholonyane had a much improved second half. Meanwhile, Mathoho and Tefu Mashamaite were again rock solid in defence.

Chiefs had the upper hand in the second and deserved the three points.

Katsande was selected as the Man-of-the-Match for his superb job in midfield.

Amakhosi’s next league clash is at home against Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday, 22 April (kick-off at 19:30).

Tuks 0

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Tshabalala 70’)

Kaizer Chiefs: Pieterse, Gaxa, Mashaimate, Mathoho, Masilela, Tshabalala (Maluleka 78’), Katsande, Letsholonyane, Lebese (Masango 92’), Parker, Mphela (Rusike 55’)

Tuks: Arubi, Jaure, Shoyisa, Monyai, Kekana, Zwane (Chenene 79’), Ketijere, Mukamba, Mosadi, Massa (Nyondo 38’), Mnyamane