An early strike from Pule Mmodi handed Kaizer Chiefs a vital 1–0 win over Zesco United in their third CAF Confederation Cup Group D match in Ndola on Sunday.
Mmodi struck inside the opening two minutes at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, tapping in a rebound after Flavio Silva’s header crashed against the woodwork from a Lebohang Maboe corner. It was the winger’s first goal of the campaign and proved decisive, securing Amakhosi’s maiden continental win this season.
The result lifts Chiefs to four points with three group matches still to play, keeping their knockout-stage hopes firmly alive. They will face Zesco again next on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Chiefs made three changes from the side that edged Golden Arrows in midweek, with Khanyisa Mayo, Dillan Solomons and Mfundo Vilakazi coming into the starting line-up. The visitors began brightly, pressing high and capitalising early before settling into a more cautious rhythm.
The remainder of the first half was scrappy and low on quality, with a bumpy surface—used for a Champions League fixture the previous day—disrupting fluency for both teams. Zesco relied heavily on physicality, with striker Amine Hiver testing Chiefs’ defence but failing to make his chances count.
Zesco showed greater urgency after the break and pushed Chiefs deeper for long spells. However, Amakhosi remained organised and disciplined, limiting clear chances and absorbing pressure as the hosts committed numbers forward.
Despite a late surge from the Zambian side, Chiefs held firm to see out the win and collect a much-needed three points on the road.
Amakhosi now turn their attention back to domestic action, where they travel to face Marumo Gallants in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday, before resuming their Confederation Cup campaign against Zesco in Durban.