Glody Lilepo on target as Kaizer Chiefs claim ZESCO scalp in CAF Confederation Cup

Glody Lilepo scored the only goal of the game after 14 minutes at the Moses Mabhida Stadium to lift Amakhosi onto seven points in second spot in Group D behind leaders Al Masry.

For ZESCO it was the end of their competition as they sit bottom of the group with zero points, and just two games to play.

Amakhosi have been in good form recently, and this result extended their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions.

Interim head coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef made just one change from their victory over ZESCO last week as Lilepo came into the starting eleven for Paseka Mako.

Zesco, meanwhile, made wholesale changes to their side with only five players remaining from their last tie.

Chiefs settled into an early passing rhythm, while it took just 30 seconds for a physical ZESCO to concede the first foul.

There was little in terms of goalmouth action early on, while a call for a penalty as Derrick Assoumou went down under the challenge of Inacio Miguel, was waved away by the referee.

But a mistake in defence by Benedict Chepeshi ultimately led to an opener as Lilepo fired the ball into the bottom left corner of the net after a neat touch to play him in from Vilakazi.

Benedict Chepeshi's attempted clearance was closed down by Pule Mmodi, allowing Flavio Silva to pick up the loose ball, and he in turn played a square pass to Vilakazi, who flicked the ball into Lilepo on the edge of the 18-yard area.

Vilakazi then fired over after being set up on the edge of the box by a lively Mmodi and Lilepo was off target with a 21st minute header from a good Mmodi cross from the left.

After being a spectator for much of the half, Chiefs stopper Brandon Petersen was forced into a one-handed save to deny ZESCO striker Amine Hiver from heading home an equaliser from close range.

The Chiefs keeper then made another excellent intervention from the resultant corner before denying Kabaso Chongo on the rebound.

Flavio Silva should have added a second goal in the 38th minute after a driving run and cut-back into the box by Lilepo, but the Guinea-Bissau striker blazed over the bar.

The first half ended with Vilakazi coming close with a free-kick that deflected off a ZESCO defender and back off the left upright.

The start of the second half was more of a subdued affair with neither side creating any early chances.

ZESCO opted to make three changes in a bid to freshen up their side and potentially save themselves from elimination. Amakhosi, meanwhile, brought on Mduduzi Shabalala and Thulani Mabaso for Vilakazi and Siphesihle Ndlovu with 59 minutes on the clock.

Mabasa was then immediately cautioned for a rash challenge that led to a real opportunity for ZESCO to find a leveller, only for Leonard Mulenga to fire into the arms of Petersen from close range.

Lilepo did well to get in a cross from the right after some good interplay with Solomons following a throw, but his delivery was slightly overhit.

Wandile Duba then replaced Silva for his first minutes in the Confederations Cup the season before ZESCO substitute Peter Musukuma was wide with a header on 72 minutes as he snuck in at the back post.

Mulenga then fired in a powerful drive with the outside of his boot that needed a strong save to tip the ball over the bar by Petersen as ZESCO continued to grow in confidence in the second period.

Gaston Sirino and Paseko Mako were introduced for Lilepo and Fabian McCarthy with 10 minutes of the match remaining as Chiefs looked to see out the tie. Mabaso fired in from range but his shot lacked the power to beat Levis Opiyo in the ZESCO goal.

Lebohang Maboe, meanwhile, smashed a sensational drive against the ZESCO crossbar as Chiefs came alive once again in the dying minutes.

The home side ultimately saw out the win to maintain their impressive run of form and eliminate their Zambian opponents at the same time.