The former SuperSport United forward has come in for some heavy criticism from a section of the club’s supporters who feel his goal scoring average is not what it should be – one league goal in eight matches.

Pressure mounted after he missed a sitter in the 1-0 Premiership win over Jomo Cosmos. But in all these games Mayo could not be described as a passenger as he contributed by creating some goals.

Against Rangers it was no different. Mayo could be seen in almost every position on the field – except goalkeeper - and he was instrumental in setting up the second goal by veteran midfielder John “Shoes” Moshoeu.

With the game almost over, Mayo laid the ball off to second half substitute David Radebe, who made a brilliant run down the right and whipped the ball across to Moshoeu. The Bafana midfielder calmly slotted the ball past national under-23 keeper Chad Harpur.

Man-of-the-match Mayo had earlier benefitted from unselfish play from Moshoeu who played him through on 22 minutes following a fantastic run by Jabu Pule. Mayo's finish was superb as he cracked the half volley past a diving Harper. The Chiefs striker could have added to his tally on 39 minutes. Harper's clearance fell to Mayo and with the Rangers keeper off his line, the Chiefs striker tried to lob the ball over but his effort was saved.

It was not a walk in the park for Amakhosi and Rangers had a few chances of their own. A well-worked pass from Rangers midfielder Mshini Mazibuko on 27 minutes released Lebohang Kukame whose shot had “goal” written all over it, but Brian Baloyi did well to block the shot with his feet.

As defender Patrick Mabedi tried to clear the loose ball, he fell victim to a crunching tackle by Regan Stuart and that infuriated Baloyi who lashed out. Both Stuart and Baolyi received yellow cards.

Rangers, however, always rushed their attacks and lacked patience in their build-ups. After 25 minutes the home side had already been flagged offside five times. A great scoring opportunity then presented itself for Rangers when Cyril Nzama fouled Kukame on the edge of the box on the half hour mark, but striker Alton Meiring fluffed the chance with his free-kick sailing way off target.

Tough-tackling Rangers skipper Liswa Nduti was lucky to escape punishment three minutes before the break after he deliberately elbowed Sbusiso Dlamini inside the penalty area. The Swazi striker was stretched off with a bad cut above his left eye.

After the restart Chiefs kept piling on the pressure and Nduti caught Dlamini with a bad tackle in a effort to clear danger. This time, however, the referee was not fooled and he produced a yellow card for the tall defender.

Rangers made a couple of changes later in the game with the hope of getting something out of this fixture. Tall striker Dale Studzinski came on for defender Billy Ratsoana on 53 minutes while midfielder Orlin Powel was brought on for Mazibuko seven minutes later. Studzinski looked dangers under the high balls but Chiefs effectively dealt with the midfield threat posed by Rangers.

Amakhosi striker Rene Richards, who was deployed at left back in the absence of the suspended David Kannemeyer, was particularly impressive and his mobility came handy when going forward.

Young midfielder Junior Khanye got a run when he came on for Arthur Zwane while Radebe replaced Dlamini in the double substitution on 63 minutes. Midfield general Tenashe Nengomasha was back following the death his father and he was introduced later in the game in place of Pule.

Amakhosi - who will now switch their focus to the Coca-Cola Cup semifinal against Wits on November 22 - returned to the summit with this victory, although it may only be for three days if Ajax Cape Town triumph in the league match away to Santos on Wednesday.

There will be no Premiership action over the weekend as Bafana Bafana are on international duty in Egypt and Tunisia.

Teams:

Rangers: Harpur, Molapo, Mbuthu, Mazibuko (Powell 60), Bobbs, Nduti, Isaks, Ratsoana (Studzinski 53), Kukame, Stuart, Meiring (Boboye 70).

Chiefs: Baloyi, Mabedi, McCarthy, Nzama, Moshoeu, Mooki, Richards, Zwane (Khanye 63), Pule (Nengomasha 78), Mayo, Dlamini (Radebe 63).

Referee: Ace Ncobo.

Cards: Sturart 28, Baloyi 28, Nduti 49, Isaks 81, Kukame 82, Moshoeu 90, Radebe 93.