Mandla Masango continued his superb early season form by scoring the only goal of the game as Kaizer Chiefs defeated Bloemfontein Celtic at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday to go top of the Absa Premiership.

The match seemed destined to end in a stalemate until Masango popped up in the 79th minute to score his fourth goal of the season and maintain the Amakhosi’s 100 percent record at the start of the 2014/15 season.

As for Phunya Sele Sele, the defeat is their first of the league season and they are still awaiting their first three pointer.

After a tepid opening in which the teams took their time settling into a rhythm, Celtic were the first to threaten a goal. Striker Frank Mhango let fly with a shot from just outside the penalty area in the 10th minute, but Itumeleng Khune made an excellent save.

The match settled into a regular pattern for most of the first half, with Chiefs dominating possession and Celtic looking dangerous on the counter attack. Goalkeepers Khune and Patrick Tignyemb were sharp to get off their line and clean up any balls over the top of their defences.

The Amakhosi appealed strongly for a penalty near the end of the first half, as Kingston Nkhatha tumbled in the 18-yard area under a challenge from Bevan Fransman, but the referee was right to ignore their pleas as the Zimbabwean striker appeared to lose his footing rather easily.

Chiefs started the second half brightly and almost broke the deadlock in spectacular style in the 53rd minute. George Lebese fired a shot at goal direct from a free kick and had the beating of Tignyemb, but was unlucky to see the ball crash into the woodwork and bounce away to safety.

The match looked destined to end goalless, but with just over 10 minutes of regulation time left the home side broke the deadlock. Lebese provided a perfect cut-back from the right flank and Masango finished first time to put Amakhosi ahead.

The Soweto giants almost doubled their advantage shortly thereafter, as Tefu Mashamaite knocked down a corner kick for centre-back partner Erick Mathoho, who swiveled and fired a shot that cannoned off the crossbar.

Teams

Chiefs: Khune, Gaxa (Moleko 71’), Mathoho, Mashamaite, Masilela, Katsande, Letsholonyane, Masango, Maluleka, Lebese (Bukenya 90+1’), Nkhatha (Mthembu 71’)

Celtic: Tignyemb, Mzava, Fransman, Bilankulu, Ritchie, Ndengane, Cloete (Lakay 54’), Nyatama (Mogapi 79’), Letlabika, Mogorosi (Lamola 54’), Mhango