Kaizer Chiefs avoided setting an unwanted record of five consecutive defeats with a 1-0 Betway Premiership victory over Durban City at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Glody Lilepo struck the game’s only goal with a ferocious shot from the edge of the box with just over 20 minutes remaining of a match that Kaizer Chiefs were worthy winners, having dominated for the majority of the 90-plus minutes.
Up to fifth place
The valuable three points lift Amakhosi above Durban City into fifth place in the Betway Premiership league standings, on 33 points from 19 matches and only a point shy of the teams that occupy third and fourth spots, respectively.
Following a spell of early pressure from the visitors, Amakhosi settled into a dominant posture, with Durban City making their intentions of keeping Kaizer Chiefs out abundantly clear with five men spread across their back line.
Ashley Du Preez was first to register and effort at goal in the fourth minute when he was put into space thanks to some neat passing between Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba, but his shot narrowly missed Darren Keet’s near post.
Uncharitable mood
Kaizer Chiefs continued to press their territorial advantage but found the Durban City defence in an uncharitable mood, and they used a variety of methods to disrupt the flow of the match, leading to numerous free kicks in a crowded middle third of the pitch.
Duba glanced a header wide midway through the first half and Shabalala had shot saved by Keet after 38 minutes.
Defensive duo, Inacio Miguel and Zitha Kwinika were in top form at the back, doing a superb job of protecting Bruce Bvuma’s goal from the likes of Kamatuka, Mokwena and Saziso Magawana up front for the East coast side.
Shabalala then set up Du Preez in the last minute but he was tackled as he shaped for a strike at goal and the half predictably ended with no score on the board.
Knowing the psychological importance, not to mention the need for the points, Amakhosi emerged for the second half with added resolve and sought to break down the stubborn Durban City resistance.
Well worth waiting for
Time and again, the visitors repelled wavs of Gold & Black attacks, but they could not hold out forever, and when the deadlock was broken it was well worth waiting for.
Substitute, Asanele Velebayi fired in a cross from the left edge of the Durban City penalty area that travelled all the way through to the right edge of the box where another substitute, Mfundo Vilakazi teed the ball up for Lilepo who to a touch and slammed the ball into the top corner of Keet’s net.
The Congolese ought to have ensured a second goal for Kaizer Chiefs moments later when he used his exceptional acceleration to break free of the defence but shot wide when a simple square pass would have given Velebayi a tap in.
Amakhosi displayed impressive game management in the closing stages, although they survived a flurry of corners and one or two hair-raising moments in stoppage, yet stood firm and saw the job through to its achieved ambition.
The victory will inspire Kaizer Chiefs throughout the week’s training in anticipation of bottom-placed Magesi FC’s visit on Saturday, 21 March (Human Rights Day), to build on this momentum towards a strong finish to the season.
Kick-off is at 18:00.
Updated Betway Premiership log
