Kaizer Chiefs lost 2-1 to Egyptian side Al-Masry in their opening Group D match of the CAF Confederation Cup at Suez Stadium on Sunday evening.
Bonheur Mugisha put the home side ahead from the penalty spot in the 59th minute, while Dillon Solomons levelled matters for Chiefs in the 66th minute before Mohammed Hashem scored the late winner for Masry in the 87th minute.
The result sees Masry in first spot in the group with three points, while Chiefs are at the bottom of the pool after match-day one.
Chiefs absorbed pressure in the opening minutes of the match but gave away set-pieces. Masry had their first shot on target in the 16th minute from a set-piece after Abderrarhim Deghmoum was fouled. Captain Hassan Mohammed Ibrahim stepped up with his left foot but the Amakhosi wall was strong enough to deny him.
Chiefs created a good build up getting inside the opposition’s box but not doing much with their chances. Mduduzi Shabalala was brought down in the 28th minute helping his side get a set-piece however nothing came off that free-kick.
There was a golden opportunity in injury time of the first half from a good build up involving Shabalala, Solomons and Etiosa Ighodaro but the striker’s tame effort in the end easily saved by the Masry goalkeeper, leaving the game deadlocked at the break.
Chiefs returned from the break unchanged. Masry started the second half like a house on fire testing Brendan Petersen and calling him to produce two supersavers twice in the opening five minutes.
Petersen, however, became a villain in the 59th minute when he gave away a penalty after bringing down Mahmoud Elsayed. Mugisha stepped up, converted to break the deadlock and give Masry the lead. The visitors responded seven minutes later after a good solo run by Solomons who grabbed Chiefs’ equaliser.
With game looking like it would end in a draw Mohammed Hashem capitalised on a mistake by Inacio Miguel, who failed to clear a corner in the 87th minute to regain Masry’s lead and break Chiefs hearts with a second goal.
