Fabio Silva’s late header rescues Chiefs in Durban

Substitute Flavio Silva was the hero for Kaizer Chiefs, scoring a decisive late header to secure a 1-0 victory over Durban City at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night.

The Portuguese-born forward, introduced in the closing stages, rose highest in the 88th minute to nod home the winner — ending Amakhosi’s four-match winless streak in the Betway Premiership and lifting them up to third on the log.

Chiefs arrived in Durban buoyed by their midweek Confederation Cup triumph and looked determined to carry that momentum into their league campaign. But for much of the evening, they struggled to translate possession into meaningful chances.

The visitors made a lively start and nearly broke the deadlock in the eighth minute when Mduduzi Vilakazi slipped Glody Lilepo through on goal. 

The Congolese winger, however, scuffed his effort wide of Darren Keet’s far post, letting City off the hook.

That early opening turned out to be one of few bright moments in a first half that lacked tempo and penetration. 

Gavin Hunt’s Durban City side stayed compact and disciplined, closing spaces and frustrating Chiefs’ attempts to play between the lines.

While Cedric Kaze’s men dominated possession, their final ball repeatedly let them down. The Chiefs bench’s frustration was evident, with Asanele Velebayi and Pule Mmodi seen warming up vigorously before halftime in search of attacking spark.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with City defending deep and looking to catch Chiefs on the counter. 

But as the game wore on, fatigue crept in, and Amakhosi began to push more bodies forward.

The breakthrough finally came two minutes from time when Silva, showing his poacher’s instinct, rose above the defence to meet a pinpoint cross and glance the ball past Keet — sparking huge relief for the travelling fans.

Chiefs will hope the win marks a turning point in their domestic campaign. 

They next face Orbit College in the Carling Knockout Cup on Tuesday, while Durban City host Marumo Gallants in Chatsworth the following day.