Kaizer Chiefs finally silenced their critics and breathed a collective sigh of relief on Sunday afternoon, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Durban City at FNB Stadium.
The win ends a grueling four-match losing streak across all competitions that had threatened to derail season and set a grim club record.
The hero of the day was Congolese attacker Glody Lilepo, whose 69th minute strike reminded the Amakhosi faithful why the club fought so hard for his signature.
A tale of two halves
The first half was a cagey affair, defined more by tactical discipline than attacking flair. Chiefs, under immense pressure following a string of poor results — including a painful derby loss to Orlando Pirates and a continental exit at the hands of Zamalek — looked eager but lacked the clinical edge.
Durban City, organised and resilient under the guidance of Darren Keet between the posts, frustrated the hosts. The visitors nearly took the lead themselves when Siphamandla Ncanana saw his header from a corner loop just over the bar.
The turning point
The momentum shifted in the second half as the Chiefs' technical team introduced fresh legs, including Mfundo Vilakazi and Asanele Velebayi. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 69th minute:
- The Build-up: Mfundo Vilakazi showed great composure on the edge of the area, drawing defenders toward him.
- The Finish: Vilakazi teed up Glody Lilepo, who unleashed a powerful, low-backlift drive that rifled into the top corner, leaving Keet with no chance.
Durban City pushed late for an equaliser, with Fezile Gcaba and Letsie Koapeng coming close in stoppage time, but the Amakhosi defence, led by the returning Inacio Miguel, held firm to claim the three points.
What's next Amakhosi?
Kaizer Chiefs will look to build on this momentum when they host bottom-of-the-log Magesi FC on Saturday. With two games in hand over some of their rivals, the hunt for a top-three finish and CAF Confederation Cup qualification is officially back on.