Kaizer Chiefs survive Durban City onslaught to end four-game losing run

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Kaizer Chiefs survive Durban City onslaught to end four-game losing run
Kaizer Chiefs players celebrate a goal. Photo - Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs ended their run of four straight defeats following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Durban City FC in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match at the FNB Stadium on Sunday.

In what was a tight game that had few chances, Chiefs needed something special to break City’s resistance and it came from Congolese forward Glody Lilepo, who has produced a number of clutch moments for Amakhosi.

Lilepo fired home from the edge of the box after 68 minutes to give Chiefs the lead which sent them to fifth place on the standings and revived their hopes of a top three finish.

Dillan Solomons of Kaizer Chiefs in action against Durban City.
Dillan Solomons of Kaizer Chiefs in action against Durban City. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

Chiefs had a chance to go ahead after just two minutes when Mduduzi Shabalala found Ashley Du Preez on his bike but the striker fired at the side netting.

Kaizer Chiefs knock on the door

It was not until the 25th minute when a moment of note happened, this time City captain Siphamandla Ncanana jumping highest to meet a cross from a corner only to see it sail over.

Chiefs then escaped by a whisker when goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma’s pass was intercepted but City failed to take advantage of the opportunity in the 37th minute.

Wandile Duba of Kaizer Chiefs playing against Durban City.
Wandile Duba of Kaizer Chiefs playing against Durban City. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

Soon after, Chiefs went on the counter attack, Lilepo finding Shabalala but the midfielder fired directly at City goalkeeper Darren Keet, leading to a goalless first half.

After the break, Chiefs upped the tempo and made inroads into the City box and the moment they were looking for arrived in the 68th minute.

Glody Lilepo of Kaizer Chiefs in action against Durban City.
Glody Lilepo of Kaizer Chiefs in action against Durban City. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

Glody Lilepo delivers moment of magic

A neat exchange of passes between substitute Mfundo Vilakazi and Lilepo saw the former tee up the latter at the edge of the box and the Congolese winger fired beautifully past Keet into the top corner for Chiefs in what was his third league goal of the season.

Just three minutes later, Lilepo would have made it 2-0 when he shrugged off his marker and fired in but saw his well-taken effort hit the crossbar.

City would then have half chances late on with Jean Lwamba failing to connect with a long ball in the box as Dillan Solomons headed out for a corner.

Where does victory leave Amakhosi?

Chiefs would have a moment of concern when Bradley Cross went down injured and needed treatment on the pitch before he got up and got substituted.

Zitha Kwinika of Kaizer Chiefs in action against Durban City.
Zitha Kwinika of Kaizer Chiefs in action against Durban City. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

Late on, City frustrated Chiefs with long balls and they nearly grabbed an equaliser in stoppage time when a goalmouth melee saw the hosts escape.

Victory saw Chiefs move to fifth place on the table with 33 points from 19 matches, just one behind both Sekhukhune United and AmaZulu FC, who have played 21 games.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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