Kaizer Chiefs beat Marumo and leapfrog Orlando Pirates to second on the table

Kaizer Chiefs secured a crucial 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants in the DStv Premiership, with Congolese striker Glody Lilepo producing the decisive moment on Wednesday night.

His thunderous strike in the 67th minute ended a run of eleven league matches without scoring and was celebrated with a powerful tribute to Congolese independence hero Patrice Lumumba.

The victory lifted Chiefs into second place on the table, leapfrogging Orlando Pirates and closing the gap to leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to just two points.

#BetwayPrem – RESULT:@KaizerChiefs claim all three points thanks to Glody Lilepo’s long-range goal against @_Marumogallants . pic.twitter.com/MIbnpnZg7A

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) January 28, 2026

Historic Goal in Chiefs vs Gallants Rivalry

Lilepo’s goal was his second of the season and his second against Gallants, making him the first player to score multiple times in this fixture.

Chiefs have now scored in seven successive matches against Gallants, and for the third straight meeting they struck first. Unlike previous encounters, this time they held on for victory.

This was also the eighth league meeting between the two sides, with Chiefs winning for only the third time. Of the four matches in this fixture that have produced a winner, three have been won by the away team, a trend that continued here.

Defensive Resilience and Clean Sheet Record

Chiefs’ defensive strength was once again on display. They recorded their eleventh league clean sheet of the season, more than any other team in the PSL.

Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen registered his eleventh league shutout and fourteenth across all competitions, the highest tally of any goalkeeper this season.

This was Chiefs’ fourth successive league clean sheet, extending their run to 425 minutes without conceding.

It was also their first clean sheet against Gallants since a 1-0 home win in the 2021-22 season and only their third overall in this fixture.

Chiefs’ Season Milestones

The win marked several key milestones for Kaizer Chiefs. They are now unbeaten in nine league matches, equaling their longest streak since the 2019-20 campaign.

Away from home, they remain undefeated in six matches, winning four and drawing two, and remarkably they are yet to concede a goal on the road this season.

Chiefs have collected fourteen points from a possible sixteen away from home, a record that has been crucial in their rise up the table.

This was their eighth league win of the season, already matching their total from last season’s 28 outings, and six of those victories have come by 1-0 scorelines, highlighting their ability to grind out results.

Chiefs have also won their first two league games of a new calendar year for the first time since 2017, when they opened with three straight wins.

Gallants’ Struggles Continue

Marumo Gallants’ poor run of form deepened with this defeat. They are now winless in six matches, with two draws and four losses, and have managed just one victory in their last fifteen league outings. Gallants remain the only side in the PSL yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

This was their first home defeat of the campaign after two wins and four draws, and the first time they failed to score at home in the league this season.

Their struggles in front of goal and inability to shut teams out have left them sliding dangerously toward the relegation zone.

Lilepo Drought

Glody Lilepo’s cracker was both historic and symbolic, ending his personal drought and etching his name into fixture history. Chiefs’ defensive record continues to set them apart in the PSL, with fifteen clean sheets in 23 matches across all competitions.

 Amakhosi have built a platform that makes them genuine title contenders, while Gallants face a battle for survival as their winless streak drags on.