Lilepo screamer takes Chiefs above Pirates
Kaizer Chiefs moved up to second place in the Betway Premiership, as their good run of form continued with a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Wednesday, January 28.
A wonder goal from Glody Lilepo in the second half settled the contest in Bloemfontein to take Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef's side one point above arch-rivals Orlando Pirates and two behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have now lost three of their last five games and remain unmoved in 13th position, three points above Chippa United, who climbed off the foot of the table last weekend.
Gallants were looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to TS Galaxy which left them without a win in their last five league outings, while Amakhosi went in search of back-to-back victories after a 1-0 success against Golden Arrows extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.
The first half was evenly contested, although Chiefs made the better start as Lilepo fired wide of the goal on three minutes before Asenele Velebayi flashed a shot inches over the crossbar moments later.
The hosts then threatened on 10 minutes when Sekela Sithole met Bheki Mabuza's cross to test Brandon Petersen with a header and the attacking midfielder was presented with another chance soon afterwards, but his shot went wide of the post.
Petersen was called into action once more on 28 minutes to keep out Katlego Otladisa's strike from range, while Marvin Sikhosana managed to get back just in time to clear Lilepo's effort off the line in the 33rd minute to ensure the score remained unchanged at the break.
The Glamour Boys again started strongly in the second half, with Lebo Maboe forcing a save out of Washington Arubi for the first time on 53 minutes after lining up a shot from range.
It took a special goal to break the deadlock on 67 minutes as Lilepo received the ball on the right flank and went past Lebohang Mabotja before bending a shot over Arubi into the top left corner of the net.
The visitors would suffer a blow 13 minutes later when the goalscorer had to be stretchered off through injury, although they almost added a second at the death as Flavio Silva lashed a shot across the face of goal.
Marumo Gallants 0
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Lilepo 67')
Marumo Gallants: W. Arubi, K. Ncube, E. Agnikoi (M. Ndlovu 83'), M. Sikhosana, L. Mabotja, S. Sithole (O. Romaric 63'), I. Bance, M. Mpambaniso (J. Clifford 73'), B. Mabuza, P. Ndlondlo (S. Nhlapo 83'), K. Otladisa (E. Mwiinde 63').
Kaizer Chiefs: B. Petersen, T. Monyane, Z. Kwinika, A. McCarthy, P. Mako, L. Maboe, N. Ngcobo (S. Ndlovu 64'), M. Lilepo (G. Msimango 81'), M. Shabalala (T. Mabaso 81'), A. Velebayi (L. Baartman 71'), K. Mayo (F. Silva 64').


















