Kaizer Chiefs joined Mamelodi Sundowns at the summit of the Absa Premiership after they defeated University of Pretoria 1-0 at the FNB Stadium on Monday evening.

Knowledge Musona got the all-important goal for the home side in a tense league encounter.

Chiefs now have 24 points but are placed second on the standings tied on the same number of points with Sundowns who earlier drew their league match at neighbours SuperSport United.

Chiefs took the lead in the sixth minute of the match through a mistake by AmaTuks goalkeeper Washington Arubi. The Zimbabwean international released a mediocre goal kick which Bernard Parker cut off and the Bafana striker fed the ball to Musona who finished exquisitely from close range as the ball hit the inside post and went in.

Musona was at it again in the 15th minute when he tested his Zimbabwean compatriot with a low long range shot which Arubi saved comfortably.

Fifteen minutes later Chiefs nearly punished AmaTuks. Parker sent in a lovely cross from the edge of the box which found the head of teammate Erick Mathoho but the towering defender just headed millimetres over the bar with Arubi and his defence at sea.

A minute before the interval Chiefs winder Siphiwe Tshabalala brought the best out of Arubi. Tshabalala sold a dummy to AmaTuks’ Charly Moussonou and then unleashed a powerful curling shot which Arubi brilliantly stopped with a reflex save.

The visitors were largely starved off the ball in the match and were reduced to trying their efforts from long range with Chiefs keeper Itumeleng Khune enjoying an early Christmas Holiday between the posts.

In the 72nd minute Chiefs had their first real scoring chance of the second half when left-back Tsepo Masilela played a through ball to substitute Siyabona Nkosi but AmaTuks defender did well to put him off the ball as he unsuccessfully stuck out a leg with Arubi having missed the ball too.

Chiefs gave a professional debut to young midfielder Philani Cele who replaced Tshabalala. Seconds later AmaTuks had their first effort on target in the match when Moussonou fed Mpho Maruping with a good cross but the latter only tamely headed into the palms of Khune from six-yards out.

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Musona 6’)

University of Pretoria 0

Chiefs: Khune, Gaxa, Mashamaite, Mathoho, Masilela, Katsande, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala (Cele 78’), Musona, Parker, Nkhatha (Nkosi 66’)

Tuks: Arubi, Kekana, Matsi, Mkhwanazi, Moussono-Moussono, Ketjijere, Monyai, Massa, Zwane (Mathosi 46’), Nyondo (Selolwane 81’), Mosadi (Maruping 40’)