Kaizer Chiefs got back to winning ways in the Absa Premiership when they beat Polokwane City 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.

Chiefs came into the game off the back of two 1-0 defeats in the league to Mamelodi Sundowns and MP Black Aces.

The Amakhosi started the better of the two teams and had their first effort on goal in the second minute when Siboniso Gaxa slipped George Maluleka through on goal, but his 14-yard effort form an acute angle on the right struck the side-netting.

George Lebese made no such mistake eight minutes later when he tapped home a low right-wing cross from Kingston Nkhatha from only a couple of yards out, 1-0.

Polokwane manufactured their first opening a minute after going behind when Thobani Mncwango headed narrowly over the crossbar from ten-yards out after getting onto a right-sided free-kick.

In the 21st minute Siphiwe Tshabalala cut in from the right flank and whipped a dangerous cross into the box which Erick Mathoho got onto, but he shot straight at the keeper from ten-yards out.

A minute later Galabgwe Monyana tried his luck from long range, but he saw his 30-yard thunderbolt well-saved by Itumeleng Khune.

As they half went on Polokwane started to grow in confidence, but were afforded a golden scoring opportunity in the 30th minute thanks to a lapse in concentration by the Chiefs defence which allowed Thabo Rakhale through on goal, but he shot wide with just the keeper to beat.

Three minutes later Chiefs thought they should have been given a penalty when Nkhatha broke through on goal and appeared to be bumped off the ball by Tlou Molekwane, but the referee waved away the appeals.

That was Nkhatha’s last action of the half as he left the field injured and was replaced by Katlego Mphela.

Neither team created any more significant chances after that as the half ended 1-0 in favour of Chiefs.

The Amakhosi came within inches of doubling their lead two minutes after the restart when Maluleka struck the right-hand post from six-yards out after being slipped through on goal and rounding the keeper.

Maluleka did find his goal in the 73rd minute when a deflected shot from just inside the box looped over the stranded keeper and into the back of the net, 2-0.

That goal was enough to seal the three points for Chiefs who still trail Mamelodi Sundowns by three points after they beat MP Black Aces, also on Wednesday night.

Polokwane City (0) 0

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2 (Lebese 10’, Maluleka 73’)

Teams:

Polokwane City: Modiri Marumo, Tlou Molekwane, Vusi Mthimkhulu, Thapelo Tshilo, Vukile Mngqibisa, Thabo Rakhale, Sandile Sibande (Roger Majafa 79’), Jabu Maluleke, Galabgw Monyana (Esau Kanyenda 60’), Thobani Mncwango, Sipho Jembula (Siphesihle Nzimande 70’)

Kaizer Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Erick Mathoho, Tefu Mashamaite, Tsepo Masilela, Willard Katsande, George Maluleka (Ivan Bukenya 86’), Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker (Knowledge Musona 87’), George Lebese, Kingston Nkhatha (Katelgo Mphela 37’)