Kaizer Chiefs maintained their strong challenge for the league title when they beat Black Leopards 3-1 in an exciting Castle Premiership clash that was played at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Leopards finished the match with 10 players after defender Japie Motale was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 69th minute.

The win saw Chiefs move to second place on the table, with 40 points, three behind log leaders Santos. However, Chiefs have five matches in hand over Santos, though it is matches they have to still win. But Amakhosi are looking increasingly as favourites to win their first title since 1992.

The first half was an exciting affair and produced all the goals as the sides pushed the ball around in the wet and slippery conditions. Chiefs however looked the better side, and the majority of the match overwhelmed their opponents.

It was also the league debut for Chiefs Zambian signing Collins Mbesuma, whom also opened the scoring for Amakhosi. The Zambian steered home a pass from David Radebe in the 17th minute to give his side the lead.

But he also injured his ankle and had to be replaced almost immediately by Sibusiso Dlamini. Chiefs doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when Junior Khanye beat a cluster of players and hammered home a long-range effort.

But Leopards pulled one back soon afterwards when Kelvin Mushangazike curled home a fantastic goal, giving Chiefs goalkeeper Brian Baloyi no chance at all.

Chiefs should have scored in the 33rd minute, but Radebe was just wide with his shot.

But Chiefs fans need not have worried, because just two minutes later, substitute Dlamini scored the third, side-footing home the ball after Stanton Fredericks had outfoxed the Leopards defence.

The second half saw Leopards put up a more solid performance, but they were unable to create any real chances against a Chiefs side that were better organised and more composed.

And the problems were compounded for Leopards when Motale was sent off for quite a vicious foul on Junior Khanye, which required the young Chiefs star to receive attention to his ear.

Teams:

Leopards: Khumalo, Motale, Matola, Mnguni, Ramadzuli, Nhleko, Dagada, Mokoena (Mathebula), Mushangazikhe, Sikhwivilhu, Sithole (W Ramadzuli)

Chiefs: Baloyi, McCarthy, Mabedi, Spencer, Khubeka, Fredericks (Mooki), Nengomasha, Radebe, Moshoeu (Mendu), Mbesuma (Dlamini), Khanye.