Assistant coach Doctor Khumalo refused to consider Kaizer Chiefs might have the Absa Premiership even half sewn up following their 1-0 victory against Pretoria University at Tuks Stadium on Wednesday.

Siphiwe Tshabalala's 69th minute free-kick saw Chiefs extend their lead over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. Predictably Khumalo, on the bench for suspended head coach Stuart Baxter, stressed Amakhosi need to maintain their focus until the league is wrapped up.

"Our last game is on May 9, so tonight's win was just part of the package," Khumalo said.

The former Chiefs midfield star did admit the size of the gap over Sundowns has made a difference from last season, where Amakhosi spurned an 11-point lead over the Brazilians to concede the title and end runners-up. This season Chiefs had a 15-point lead by the January break.

"By the end of last season it was down to one or two points between us and Sundowns, but this season we could keep it at 10," he said.

Khumalo's caution matches the ethos of a team who have maintained their focus seeking a third league title in three years, from winning their first eight games, to a 19-match unbeaten start, then through inevitable mini-slumps and pressure that followed.

AmaTuks coach Sammy Troughton took encouragement from the performance of his team, who he said needed six points from their remaining six games to ensure they do not become embroiled in the relegation dogfight.

On Tuesday, on a compact pitch against energetic opponents, Chiefs struggled to slow the game down and play their normal game.

They found a strategy to get a passing rhythm together in the second half and created better chances.

Again Amakhosi produced a winner from a set piece having struggled to score from open play. Stalwart midfielder Tshabalala, largely out of a game that did not suit his skills, provided a crucial, classy free-kick.

"The first half we didn't play very well, I think because it's been a while since we played on a smaller pitch. It wasn't conducive to our tactical approach," said Khumalo.

"I thought our lads gave a good account of themselves. I think we gave away about three free-kicks within the space of about five minutes.

"And when you've got players like Tshabalala and Bernard Parker against you it's looking for trouble," Troughton said.