Kaizer Chiefs moved into second place in the Absa Premiership standings following their 2-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday evening.

Amakhosi got off to a bright start and broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when George Maluleka latched onto a pin-point pass by Joseph Molangoane before the midfielder fired his effort past Patrick Tignyemb.

Minutes later, Celtic had a chance to level matters when Lyle Lakay unleashed a strike at goal from just outside the box, however, the winger’s effort was guided narrowly wide of the target.

Celtic came close to scoring in the 35th minute when Musa Nyatama unleashed a thunderous shot at goal, forced Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune into making a fine save.

Both side’s struggled to carve out any clear-cut chances in the final third as Chiefs went into the half-time interval with a 1-0 lead over Celtic.

Amakhosi had a chance to double their lead seven minutes into the second-half when captain Willard Katsande headed his effort towards goal, however, Tignyemb was on hand to parry the ball away to safety.

However, Chiefs did eventually double their lead when substitute Gustavo Paez calmly slotted the ball past Tignyemb, which went in off the post to make it 2-0 in the 68th minute.

Celtic pressed forward in search of a goal in the closing stages of the match but struggled to break down the Glamour Boys’ defence.

Kaizer Chiefs held onto their two-goal lead to secure all three points and move into second place in the Absa Premiership table.

Meanwhile, Ajax Cape Town secured their first victory in 2017 after they beat relegation-threatened Highlands Park 1-0 at the Cape Town Stadium courtesy of a ninth minute goal by Mark Mayambela.

Image: Gerhard Steenkamp/BackpagePix