Glody Lilepo's second-half strike proved decisive for Amakhosi, who secured their first league win since late January and climbed to fifth place on the table with 33 points, moving above Durban City, who slipped to sixth.

Under pressure following a string of poor results, Chiefs made several changes to the side that lost to Richards Bay the previous week. Inacio Miguel returned from injury while Siphesihle Ndlovu, Mduduzi Shabalala, Lilepo, Ashley du Preez and Wandile Duba were all included in the starting line-up.

Despite seeing more of the ball early on, the hosts struggled to create clear opportunities in a sluggish first half. Du Preez fired wide inside the opening minutes, while Shabalala and Duba also failed to test Durban City goalkeeper Darren Keet.

City gradually settled and threatened from a set-piece midway through the half when Siphamandla Ncanana rose to meet a Saziso Magawana corner, but his header drifted over the bar.

The visitors remained organised defensively and limited Chiefs to speculative efforts, with Keet largely untroubled before the interval as the teams went into the break goalless.

Chiefs looked more purposeful after the restart, with the technical team introducing Asanele Velebayi at half-time and later bringing on Mfundo Vilakazi in search of greater attacking impetus.

The substitutions eventually paid off in the 69th minute. Vilakazi drew defenders towards him before laying the ball off to Lilepo on the edge of the box, and the Congolese attacker drove a powerful shot into the net to give Chiefs the lead.

Lilepo nearly doubled his tally moments later but failed to hit the target from a tight angle with only Keet to beat.

Durban City pushed forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser and forced a tense finish, with Chiefs scrambling to clear their lines on several occasions, including dramatic goal-line interventions deep into stoppage time.

However, the home side held on to secure all three points and complete a league double over the KwaZulu-Natal outfit.

The result ended City's six-match unbeaten run across all competitions and provided some relief for Chiefs' coaching duo Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, whose side had been under increasing scrutiny during the recent slump.

Chiefs will look to build on the win when they host Magesi FC next weekend, while Durban City return home for a clash against provincial rivals Richards Bay.

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