Midfielder Stanton Fredericks gave Chiefs a 1-0 halftime lead with his second league goal of the season at a rainy and windy Newlands.

Fredericks collected a great cross from striker Kabamba Musasa from the right five minutes from the break and did well under pressure from the Ajax defence to lob the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs.

Chiefs went further ahead on 83 minutes courtesy of a great strike by Musasa. The Congolese hitman almost grabbed his brace on 92 minutes but the goal was ruled offside.

The win leaves Chiefs just seven points behind leaders Orlando Pirates at the halfway point of the campaign, while Ajax are now in danger of being sucked back into the relegation equation after their first defeat of 2003.

The first half was a pretty even affair with both teams having early chances to break the deadlock.

After Nathan Paulse had gone close for Ajax, the dead-lock was finally broken in the 40th minute when Fredericks found himself in acres of space on the edge of the area and he coolly chipped the advancing goalkeeper.

The second half was entertaining as both teams continued to attack with verve and imagination.

Ajax, in search of their third win on the trot, forced Chiefs stopper Brian Baloyi into a number of fine saves and the coach's son, Grant Igesund, had a shot cleared off the line after finally getting the beating of the former Bafana keeper.

But the game was sealed for Chiefs in the final seven minutes as Musasa beat home goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs after being put clear. His angled shot from the left beat Josephs at the near post to double his side's advantage.

Team: Baloyi, Nzama, McCarthy, Mabedi, Sithole, Mbuthu, Fredericks (Thobejane 89), Moshoeu, Mushangazhike (Maselesele 84), Radebe (Nengomashe 69th), Musasa.

Other results:

Moroka Swallows 2 Hellenic 1

Hellenic gave away a 1-0 halftime lead courtesy of Daniel Matsau at Rand Stadium and lost 2-1 against Moroka Swallows with goalkeeper Jason Barnard scoring and own goal on 60 minutes and Lucas Sebona making sure the Birds remained unbeaten in their last four matches.

Jomo Cosmos 0 Golden Arrows 1

A goal from Siza Dlamini on 74 minutes game Golden Arrows a 1-0 win against Jomo Cosmos at Makhulong Stadium. Ezenkosi last won a match on December 11, a 1-0 victory against strugglers Bush Bucks.

It is now five games without victory for Cosmos, who managed only two points in their last six matches.

Sundowns 0 Wits University 1

Sundowns suffered their third defeat in a row, as they were shocked 1-0 by Wits University at Loftus on Sunday. Sibusiso Mhlongo gave the visitors the lead on 41 minutes and the home side failed to recover from the setback.

The Brazilians, once among the front-runners on the log, have now dropped to seventh with their sixth defeat of the season, as their hopes of winning the championship slow diminish.