Kaizer Chiefs laughed aside claims of a potential panic in the Premiership title race to restore a double digit gap at the top of the standings after beating Ajax Cape Town 1-0 last night.

Mandla Masango's goal after 15 minutes settled any nerves there might have been after Amakhosi had picked up just a single point from their first two league games of 2015.

Victory took Chiefs to the 50-point mark and also provided a morale-booster for Saturday's Soweto derby against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates.

They are now 10 points above their nearest challengers in the table with nine matches left.

It was a disciplined showing from Chiefs who took no risks, sat back and allowed Ajax a lot of possession, albeit mostly ineffective in their own half, and then looked for chances on the counter.

But Chiefs did not have as much attacking spark as usual and lost a little more possession than they would have liked.

The goal came as Masango finished off from close range after a sweeping move that saw Matthew Rusike provide a diagonal ball.

That allowed Siboniso Gaxa to push forward on the right and play a square ball into the penalty area that George Lebese flicked goal-wards with a clever touch.

Anssi Jaakkola blocked the effort and Masango finished off the rebound for his sixth league goal of the season.

Ajax had seven attempts on goal to just three for the hosts in the first half yet did not trouble Itumeleng Khune.

Ajax's only real effort fell for Erwin Isaacs in the 23rd minute but he fluffed the effort after good work on the right flank from Cecil Lolo.

George Maluleka had three good chances but missed all from inside the penalty area.

Chiefs' key midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane is doubtful for the derby after he twisted his ankle.