Chiefs Edge ZESCO To Boost Confed Cup Knockout Hopes
Kaizer Chiefs produced a promising display as they claimed their second win in CAF Confederation Cup Group D, edging ZESCO United 1-0 at a vibrant Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.
The victory lifted Chiefs to second place in the group with seven points, level with Al Masry. By securing the crucial three points, Amakhosi also completed a double over the Zambian side, who remain winless after four group-stage matches.
After a slow start, Chiefs are now firmly back in contention for a place in the knockout stages of CAF’s second-tier club competition.
The two sides previously met in Ndola, Zambia, last weekend, where an early goal from Pule Mmodi sealed Chiefs’ first win of the group campaign. A similar pattern unfolded in Durban, with the hosts striking early once again.
ZESCO failed to clear their lines, and the loose ball fell kindly to Flavio da Silva. The Guinea-Bissau international surged forward before slipping a pass to Mfundo Vilakazi. The Amajita star then threaded a precise ball into the path of Glody Lilepo, who fired home in the 14th minute to give Chiefs the lead.
Lilepo celebrated by raising his right hand in a salute—an iconic gesture associated with Congolese fans during the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations, paying tribute to Patrice Lumumba. Lumumba was a Congolese independence leader and the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, serving from June to September 1960, and led the Congolese National Movement (MNC) from 1958 until his assassination in 1961.
It was Lilepo’s second goal in as many matches, having also scored a stunning strike—arguably a goal-of-the-season contender—in the midweek league victory over Marumo Gallants.
At the time, Chiefs sat second in Group D, level on points with Egyptian side Al Masry, who were scheduled to face fellow Egyptians Zamalek later on Sunday.
ZESCO, who reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals in 2016 before losing to Mamelodi Sundowns, were outplayed by a Chiefs side that appears to be growing in confidence with each match.
Amakhosi should have doubled their lead in the 38th minute when Lilepo burst down the right flank and delivered a perfect cross to da Silva, but the striker blasted wide when he should have found the target.
The Congolese forward, who has quickly become a fan favourite at Naturena due to his impressive performances, had another chance after cutting inside, but once again failed to hit the mark.
On the stroke of half-time, Vilakazi whipped in a dangerous free kick that the Zambian defence failed to deal with. The ball struck the upright and bounced to safety.
Lebohang Maboe delivered another outstanding midfield performance for Chiefs, dictating the tempo and linking play effectively. He was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when his powerful strike in the 90th minute crashed off the crossbar as Amakhosi pushed for a second goal.
Although ZESCO created a few chances of their own, they rarely troubled Chiefs in Durban. The Zambian side left with their hopes of progression all but extinguished.
