Kaizer Chiefs have reclaimed third place on the Absa Premiership log after they defeated Maritzburg United 2-0 at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The result, secured thanks to goals from Gustavo Paez and Dumisani Zuma, saw the Amakhosi and Team of Choice swap positions on the table, with the latter dropping to fourth spot.

Maritzburg were the first to threaten, with striker Andrea Fileccia having a brief sight of goal in the sixth minute, but he was quickly closed down by the Chiefs defence. Two minutes later the Belgian attacker again look likely to get in behind the backline, but youngster Siyabonga Ngezana made a superb last-ditch tackle.

The hosts’ first shot in anger arrived in the 13th minute, with midfielder George Maluleka looking to curl one home from long-range, but his effort didn’t trouble United goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle.

Chiefs gradually took control of the match and claimed the lead on the half-hour mark through striker Gustavo Paez – the Venezuelan took full advantage of some space in the final third and fired home a half-volley from the ‘D’ of the penalty area to make it 1-0.

The Amakhosi enjoyed further chances through the remainder of the first half, but they were unable to add to their advantage, leaving the game marginally in their favour at the interval.

In the second half, the Glamour Boys continued to create scoring opportunities and Siphiwe Tshabalala sent a shot just wide of the mark on the hour, but they didn’t have to wait much longer for the second goal to arrive.

Substitute Dumisani Zuma, who had replaced Paez upfront, made an almost immediate impression as he doubled the Amakhosi’s lead in the 67th minute, providing a fine finish to get the better of Mpandle.

The teams will wrap up their league campaigns in two weeks’ time, with Chiefs away to Ajax Cape Town and Maritzburg United hosting Golden Arrows. The Team of Choice also have the Nedbank Cup final against Free State Stars on May 19 to look forward to.

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2 (Paez 30’, Zuma 67’)

Chiefs: Khune, Mphahlele, Cardoso, Ngezana, Khumalo (Zulu 81’), Molangoane (Chirambadare 79’), Katsande, Maluleka, Tshabalala, Parker, Paez

Maritzburg: Mpandle, de Reuk (Mokate 46’), Xulu, Fransman, Sanoka, Makaringe, Shandu, Maboe, Atouba (Eksteen 69’), Mekoa, Fileccia (Matime 85’)