Chiefs boost CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal hopes

Kaizer Chiefs have boosted their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup after they defeated Zesco United 1-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday afternoon.

The South African side secured the result thanks to Glody Lilepo’s first-half strike and drew level with Group D leaders Al Masry (who will face fellow Egyptian side Zamalek in Suez this evening) on seven points.

The Zambian visitors, meanwhile, suffered a fourth loss from as many matches and sit at the bottom of the log with zero points.

Amakhosi collect another clean sheet 🤝🟡#TotalEnergiesCAFCC | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/OY2bfLnqT1 — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 1, 2026

Chiefs established control of the game from early on and claimed the lead in the 14th minute.

The hosts pressed high up the field and turned possession over near the penalty area before shifting it to the right, where Glody Lilepo was able to drive home a low shot for 1-0.

Goals in back-to-back matches for Glody Lilepo 🟡✌️

Amakhosi are up and running 💥

📺 Stream #TotalEnergiesCAFCC on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/0Ujh7X0DOM — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 1, 2026

The Amakhosi kept up their dominance through the first half and almost doubled their lead in injury time before the interval, with Mfundo Vilakazi’s free kick delivery deflecting off Hiver Amine and striking the near post.

Team Ya Ziko had two great chances around the half-hour mark, with Amine and Kabaso Chongo both denied by excellent saves from Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Peterson.

In the second half, Zesco created a decent amount of attacking pressure through balls over the top of the defence and set pieces, and came close to an equaliser with a long-range effort from Leonard Mulenga in the 77th minute, but Peterson made another fine save.

Chiefs also hit the woodwork for a second time when Lebohang Maboe tried his luck from long range in the final minute of regulation time – his effort had the beating of the Zesco goalkeeper, but not the crossbar.

The teams will continue their Confederation Cup campaigns next weekend, with Chiefs at home to Al Masry, while Zesco will host Zamalek.

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Lilepo 14’)

Zesco United 0

Chiefs: Peterson, Solomons, Kwinika, Miguel, McCarthy (Mako 81’), Ndlovu (Mabaso 59’), Maboe, Mmodi, Vilakazi (Shabalala 59’), Lilepo (Sirino 81’), Silva (Duba 66’)

Zesco: Opiyo, Chepeshi (Mayembe 54’), Mkhonta, Chongo, Chilongoshi, Mulenga, Mutoshi, Assoumou (Musukuma 54’), Manda (Mgonga 70’), Mwanza (Siankombo 53’), Amine