CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
Smiso Msomi|Published
Kaizer Chiefs have a mixed history against Zambian opposition, and they will need to draw on last season’s improvement when they face Red Arrows in the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday.
Amakhosi have won two, drawn one and lost three of their six previous matches against Zambian clubs in continental competition, scoring four goals and conceding seven.
Their first encounters came against Nchanga Rangers in the 2000 CAF Cup, when Chiefs lost 2–0 at home before drawing 0–0 away to exit the competition.
They then suffered another setback against ZESCO United in the 2018/19 CAF Confederation Cup, losing 3–1 away and 2–1 at home to go out 5–2 on aggregate.
However, Chiefs turned the tables on ZESCO last season, recording 1–0 victories both away and at home in the Confederation Cup group stage.
Those results offer encouragement as they prepare to face Red Arrows, but the Zambian side represent a different challenge and will be determined to make their own mark on the competition.
Red Arrows booked their place in the second preliminary round after beating Madagascar’s FC Rouge 4–0 on aggregate.
They will now host Chiefs at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, with the first leg offering both sides an opportunity to establish an advantage before the return fixture in South Africa.
For Chiefs, the timing of the encounter presents another challenge.
Amakhosi head into the continental tie after drawing with Stellenbosch FC in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday.
With little time to recover and prepare, coach Fernando Da Cruz will need to manage his squad carefully as the team switches attention from domestic duties to African competition.
Chiefs have also confirmed a 23-man travelling squad for the trip to Zambia, including Rushwin Dortley, Inácio Miguel, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Mduduzi Shabalala, and Flavio Da Silva.
The objective will be to return home with a result that puts them in a strong position for the second leg, scheduled for Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday, 23 October.
There is added motivation for Chiefs after narrowly missing out on the Confederation Cup knockout stages last season, finishing the group phase with 11 points but falling short on goal difference.
Progressing to the group stage is therefore an important first target for Da Cruz’s team as they look to improve on that campaign.
Their recent record against Zambian clubs shows that the challenge should not be underestimated. But the two victories over ZESCO last season also demonstrate that Chiefs can compete successfully against opposition from the country.
Saturday’s meeting with Red Arrows will test whether Amakhosi can carry that momentum into another demanding continental assignment.