It wasn’t pretty, but Kaizer Chiefs have back to winning ways thanks to Glody Lilepo. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Kaizer Chiefs breathed a sigh of relief after snapping a four-game losing streak, getting back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Durban City at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Glody Lilepo’s solo goal was enough to secure the win. The victory, which moves Chiefs to fifth on the Betway Premiership standings on 33 points, slightly eases the pressure on co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, who have been heavily criticised amid their recent slump.
This win dropped Durban City to sixth place, but they remain in the Nedbank Cup semi-final, where they will face Casric Stars. Crucially, the three points keep Chiefs' hopes of a top-three finish alive, as they now trail third-placed Sekhukhune United, who have played two games more, by just one point.
An uninformed spectator, unfamiliar with the stature of the two teams, would have sworn these were average sides battling for survival. Such was the sluggish pace of the game from start to finish; nothing suggested the ‘once mighty’ Amakhosi were playing at home and in desperate need of points.
Granted, Chiefs dominated possession but failed to make it count. Their final balls were ineffective, and their forwards lacked bite in the final third, with timid shots either off target or falling kindly for Durban City goalkeeper Darren Keet.
Keet hardly broke a sweat in the first half; he had little to stress about as the Durban City defence remained on high alert, putting their bodies on the line. The same could not be said for the hosts – the low morale surrounding the club was evident, even among the senior players.
Inacio Miguel, one of seven changes to the starting line-up after the loss to Richards Bay, had a poor half.
He was so erratic that even former assistant coach Farouk Khan publicly criticised him, tweeting, “This Miguel guy?” on X.
Khan is not the first former coach to criticise the current team; Muhsin Ertugral, Ernst Middendorp, and Stuart Baxter have also made headlines in recent weeks. However, the teams’ most vocal critics have been the supporters, with the few who braved the drizzling, chilly weather perhaps regretting not joining those who allegedly threatened to boycott the game after a poor first half.
The troubling times were also evident in Kaze and Ben Youssef. The coaching duo did not project any confidence, with only the latter standing on the touchline, occasionally strolling backwards to exchange words with Kaze.
Under pressure for an improved second half, the coaches made changes, introducing Asanele Velebayi at half-time for the ineffective Ashley du Preez, and fan-favourite Mfundo Vilakazi for Wandile Duba a few moments later.
Vilakazi repaid the faith shown in him by the technical team and fans, who applauded his introduction, making neat passes in the final third. His impact was eventually rewarded when he assisted Glody Lilepo in front of goal, with the Congolese latching onto the ball before hitting a rocket past Keet.
The goal momentarily lifted the pressure on Chiefs and brought smiles to their supporters on a gloomy day for the club. The team will look to ensure the turnaround continues in their next game against Magesi at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
KAIZER CHIEFS (0) 1
Lilepo 69’
DURBAN CITY 0
*Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch