Kaizer Chiefs have moved to second place in Group D of the CAF Confederation Cup after a 1-0 win against Zesco United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday.
Glody Lilepo scored the only goal of the match in the first half to give Amakhosi their second win of the group stages. It is also a second consecutive goal for Lilepo, who also scored a stunner against Marumo Gallants on Wednesday.
Amakhosi made six changes from the side that beat Gallants 1-0 in a Betway Premiership match in Mangaung on Wednesday.
Dillan Solomons, Inacio Miguel, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Mfundo Vilakazi, Pule Mmodi and Flavio Da Silva were preferred over Paseka Mako, Thabiso Monyane, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Mduduzi Shabalala, Asanele Velebayi and Khanyisa Mayo.
HUGE MILESTONE FOR MDUDUZI SHABALALA DURING THE MATCH AGAINST ZESCO UNITED
Before the match, Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala was presented with a special jersey as he reached the 100-match milestone for the club against Zesco.
The 22-year-old has been part of the senior team since his promotion from the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] side in 2022.
The home side dominated play in the early stages of the match. It didn’t take long before they eventually opened the scoring through Glody Lilepo with a shot from inside the box, capitalising on a mistake by the Zesco defence.
Pule Mmodi made a plea for a penalty after a challenge by a Zesco defender inside the 18-yard box, but Namibian referee Naftal Mweshtsama waved play on.
Flavio Silva missed a glorious opportunity to double the score at the half-hour mark after failing to convert from a Lilepo cross.
KAIZER CHIEFS HOLD ON TO A CRUCIAL WIN IN CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
The visitors also had their own share of chances a few moments later when Brandon Petersen made a brilliant save, resulting in a corner kick. The Amakhosi captain produced another world-class save from the corner kick to deny Zesco.
Lilepo nearly got his second of the match after beating two Zesco defenders, but missed the target. Amakhosi went into the half-time break leading 1-0.
They continued to dominate play early in the second half, creating more chances. However, Zesco finished the second half stronger. Petersen was forced to make another brilliant save with 15 minutes to go after a shot from Leonard Mulenga.
Meanwhile, Al Masry will take on Zamalek on Sunday evening, a match which could determine the log standings ahead of the last game of the group stages next weekend.
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