Former champions Kaizer Chiefs are the only club with a perfect record Wednesday after three rounds of the South African Premiership.

A clinical Mandla Masango finish enabled the Soweto side to defeat visiting Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 and take the three-time Premiership title-holders to nine points from three victories.

Ajax Cape Town and Wits University share second place on seven points after midweek matches in the richest African national football league with a $940,000 (710,000 euros) first prize.

A surprise 2-1 success at Polokwane City kept Ajax unbeaten and Johannesburg outfit Wits ground out a 1-0 home victory over Maritzburg United.

Slow-starting defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns claimed maximum points for the first time this season by winning 2-0 at Moroka Swallows.

Orlando Pirates, runners-up to Egyptians Al-Ahly in the 2013 CAF Champions League, are still without a win after being held 1-1 by AmaZulu.

A couple of late goals lifted a Free State Stars team coached by Belgian Tom Saintfiet off the bottom with a 3-2 home triumph over SuperSport United.

Mpumalanga Black Aces are the new basement occupants after suffering a second successive home loss when falling 2-0 to Platinum Stars.

Promoted Chippa United, who topped the table after the opening round, were beaten 2-1 by visiting Pretoria University.

Chiefs and Celtic at Soccer City stadium in Soweto resembled a chess match with the teams cancelling each other out in a game of few clearcut chances.

Masango continued good early season form by capitalising on a rare opening 11 minutes from time to rifle a cut-back past Cameroonian goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb.

Celtic came closest to scoring during the opening half when a snap shot from Malawian Frank Mhango was tipped over by Chiefs goalkeeper and captain Itumeleng Khune.

Ajax, bottom-half finishers last season, followed up a shock home win over Sundowns by making a successful long journey to northern city Polokwane.

Thabiso Nkoana put the Cape Town outfit ahead within a minute and Tashreeq Morris added a second before half-time.

Giant striker Sthembiso Ngcobo scored his second league goal of the season and once again it was worth three points as Wits edged Maritzburg.

Senegalese Mame Niang and Zimbabwean Kudakwashe Mahachi were on target during the second half as Sundowns cruised to victory at disappointing Swallows.

The Soweto 'Birds' chances of forcing a draw were dealt a major blow when one goal behind as Lantshele Phalane was sent off after a second yellow card.

Defender Thabo Matlaba rescued Pirates with a second-half equaliser after former Buccaneer Bongani Ndulula had put Durban club AmaZulu ahead.

Veteran Namibian Rudolf Bester was the toast of Free State Stars as he snatched the stoppage-time winner over SuperSport.