Is Kaizer Chiefs’ CAF Confederation Cup Form Worth Watching Closely?

Improbable as it may sound, Kaizer Chiefs are a point away from reaching the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

Amakhosi fought hard to secure a crucial 2-1 win over Al Masry at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday afternoon.

Flavio Da Silva gave Chiefs a 1-0 lead going into the break from what appeared to be a dubious penalty decision after 39 minutes.

After the interval, Abderrahim Deghmoum equalised for the Egyptian side in the 57th minute. However, three minutes later, Aden McCarthy scored the winner for Chiefs in the 60th minute after a scramble in the box.

This triumph is the third win for Chiefs in this season’s CAF Confederation Cup group stage, marking the highest number of victories they have recorded in a CAF competition group stage.

In the 2020/21 CAF Champions League group stages, Chiefs won two games.

Kaizer Chiefs winger Pule Mmodi (Image: @KaizerChiefs/ X)

Amakhosi need just a draw away to Zamalek on Sunday, February 15, to book their place in the quarter-finals of the continental competition.

As things stand after five games, Chiefs are on 10 points, two points clear of Zamalek, who have accumulated eight points.

Zamalek head into the final clash after a 1-0 loss to ZESCO United, making them a wounded but dangerous lion.

Previous appearances in continental competitions paint a promising picture for Chiefs, who were runners-up in the 2020/21 CAF Champions League and winners of the 2002 CAF Super Cup.

They were also crowned champions of the 2001 African Cup Winners’ Cup before it was renamed the CAF Confederation Cup.

Are Amakhosi on a quest to relive the 2001 triumph in a bid to re-establish themselves in continental football?

Only time will tell.