Lilepo delivers again as Chiefs eliminate ZESCO to boost Confederation Cup hopes

Kaizer Chiefs boosted their chances of making it to the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final following a 1-0 win over Zambia’s ZESCO United on Sunday.

Just like it had been in their previous three matches across all competitions, Chiefs won 1-0 for the fourth time on the bounce, as an early strike from the in-form Glody Lilepo settled the game.

ZESCO had a shout for a penalty after nine minutes when Derrick Assoumouhou went down under a challenge from Inacio Miguel but the referee waved play on.

In the 14^th minute, Chiefs found the breakthrough when Pule Mmodi intercepted a pass on the left wing and passed the ball to Mfundo Vilakazi. Obrigado, as he is popularly known, passed to Lilepo in space and the Congolese delivered an exquisite low shot into the bottom corner.

Wasted opportunities from Chiefs

Goals in back-to-back matches for Glody Lilepo 🟡✌️

Amakhosi are up and running 💥

📺 Stream #TotalEnergiesCAFCC on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/0Ujh7X0DOM
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 1, 2026

Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen would be called into action in the 30^th minute when he made a good save, leading to a corner and again from the resulting set-piece, before Flavio da Silva hit the woodwork after a swift counterattack from the Glamour Boys.

In the 40^th minute, Lilepo ran at defenders and fired low but it went wide while Vilakazi came close on the stroke of halftime when his flicked shot hit the post following a freekick.

Chiefs ended the first half in the ascendancy but upon resumption, they were second best when they took their foot off the pedal. A slow and lethargic second half from the Soweto giants gave ZESCO opportunities to make inroads into their half with Petersen making a number of crucial saves.

Frantic end to the game

One such save came in the 77^th minute when Leonard Mulenga fired in as he tipped over but Thulani Mbaso and Lebohang Maboe also came close for Chiefs in the final minutes of the game.

Chiefs held on to record yet another clean sheet while three more points took their tally in Group D to seven from four games, same as Al Masry, and two better than Zamalek before the two Egyptian sides clash later on Sunday.

ZESCO, meanwhile, have been eliminated after losing a fourth straight match as they cannot finish in the top two even if they win their remaining two matches against the Egyptian sides.

Chiefs will now believe that a place in the quarter-final is within reach if they can secure a victory at home to Al Masry next Sunday.