Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Jan 28, 2026.
Marumo Gallants (0)
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1
(Lilepo 67’)
Betway Premiership
Dr Petrus Molemela stadium, Mangaung, Bloemfontein
Kaizer Chiefs moved into second place in the Betway Premiership standings after A magnificent Glody Lilepo winner gave them a 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants at the Dr Petrus Molemela stadium in Mangaung, Bloemfontein on Wednesday evening.
Amakhosi now have 30 points from their 15 matches and sit only two points off the summit after Congolese international, Lilepo struck a memorable goal from the touchline midway through the second half.
The game took a while to get going in front of a sizeable crowd of spectators, the majority of whom were clad in the famous Gold & Black, as Chiefs adjusted to the six changes the coaches made from the team that did duty in Zambia on the weekend.
Amakhosi made some good headway down the flanks, with Asanele Velebayi looking threatening down the left flank and cutting inside to attempt a couple of shots that narrowly missed the target. Khanyisa Mayo too, tried to be the focal point in attack and link up the play by holding the ball up and bringing others into play. Defensively, Chiefs were untroubled and Goalkeeper, Brandon Petersen made two very comfortable saves from tame Gallants efforts.
Their best chance fell in the 33rd minute when Zitha Kwinika’s long ball into the box was almost punched into his own net by Washington Arubi before it was cleared away by Marvin Sikhosana. But alas, despite every effort to make the combinations click, the inaccuracy of the passing and the tenacity of the Bahlabane ba Ntwa players prevented Chiefs from really testing Arubi’s goal in what ended as a goalless first half.
Chiefs made more of the running in the second half but still found the hosts a tough nut to crack. Enjoying more possession and better cohesion, Chiefs gradually increased the pressure and eventually broke through in quite astonishing fashion.
The moment of magic arrived in the 67th minute when Lilepo, tight to the right touchline and level with the penalty area, pushed the ball past his marker and whipped in a swerving cross that sailed over Arubi’s outstretched arms and nestled in the far top corner of the net. It was a spectacular 25 yard strike that was more ‘wide-range’ than long-range. Flavio Da Siva, on as a sub, almost made it 2-0 in the 87th minute but fired a fraction wide from a tight angle inside the box.
The victory continues their winning start to 2026 with their third in a row since the turn of the year and marks Brandon Petersen’s 14th clean sheet of the season in all competitions.
They immediately turn their attention back to continental matters with a TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group D match against ZESCO United awaiting them in Durban this weekend.
Line-Ups
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen © (1), Mako (29), Monyane (2), McCarthy (35), Kwinika (4), Maboe (6), Ngcobo (12) (Ndlovu (8) 65’), Shabalala (7) (Mabaso (34) 81’), Velebayi (17) (Baartman (11) 71’), Lilepo (99) (Msimango (25) 81’), Mayo (3) (Da Silva (77 ) 63’)
Subs not used: Bvuma (16); Solomons (18), Sirino (10), Vilakazi (28)
Coaches: Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze
Marumo Gallants: Arubi (36), Mabotja (4), Sikhosana (35), Ncube (13), Otladisa (12) (Mwiinde (28) 63’), Bance (44), Eroine (55) (Ndlovu (18) 83’), S. Sithole (26) (Ouattara (22) 63’), Mabuza (39) Mphambaniso (10) (Clifford (9) 73’), Ndlondlo (15) (Nhlapho (50) 83’)
Subs: Mlambo (16), Luthuli (8), Khumalo (20), Mhlongo (33)
Coach: Alexandre Lafitte
