Lilepo goes from hero to zero as 10-man Kaizer Chiefs edge AmaZulu

Kaizer Chiefs survived a self-inflicted second-half crisis to secure a gritty 1-0 victory over AmaZulu FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon, despite goal-hero Glody Lilepo turning villain seconds after hitting the back of the net.

Lilepo fired the Glamour Boys into the lead in the 68th minute of the Betway Premiership tie, but the DR Congo winger’s moment of brilliance was immediately ruined by a rush of blood to the head. Having already been on a yellow card, he removed his shirt during a wild celebration and was promptly sent off for a second bookable offence.

Despite playing the final 22 minutes with 10 men, Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze’s side held on for a crucial three points. The win sees third-placed Chiefs open up a 10-point gap over Usuthu, whose grip on fourth place is now under serious threat from Sekhukhune United with just one game remaining in the season.

Arthur Zwane’s AmaZulu came into the clash unbeaten in their last three outings and looked the sharper of the two sides early on, despite Chiefs dominating the ball with over 70% possession in the first half.

Usuthu threatened as early as the eighth minute when Sandile Mthethwa forced a sharp save out of Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen with a header from a Riaan Hanamub cross. Petersen was called into action again 10 minutes later, making another fine stop to keep the hosts at bay.

Amakhosi, looking for back-to-back wins after beating Sekhukhune on May 10, struggled to create clear-cut chances from open play. Mfundo Vilakazi sent a 13th-minute free-kick over the bar, while Nkosingiphile Ngcobo forced a save from Olwethu Mzimela in the 37th minute as the sides went into the tunnel deadlock.

Kaizer Chiefs weather Lilepo red card storm to cement third spot

The second half sparked into life as both keepers traded top-drawer saves. First, Petersen denied AmaZulu’s Hendrick Ekstein nine minutes after the restart, before Mzimela pulled off an exquisite tip-over to deny Reeve Frosler at the other end.

The breakthrough finally came in the 68th minute in bizarre fashion. Lilepo played a neat one-two with Vilakazi before squeezing a shot past Mzimela at his near post from an acute angle on the left.

But the ecstasy turned to immediate agony. Forgetful of his disciplinary tightrope, Lilepo whipped off his jersey, leaving the referee with no choice but to flash a second yellow and a subsequent red card.

With a man disadvantage, Chiefs were forced to dig deep. Substitute Tashreeq Morris had a late chance to double the visitors’ lead in the 84th minute, but Mzimela kept Usuthu alive with a smart stop.

AmaZulu threw everything forward in the dying stages, even introducing Richard Ofori in stoppage time, but Amakhosi’s backline held firm to arrest their recent slump and secure a massive maximum points on the road.

OTHER RESULTS IN THE BETWAY PREMIERSHIP ON SATURDAY