Kaizer Chiefs are within touching distance of the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup as they prepare for a decisive Group D clash against Zamalek SC in Egypt on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 18:00 (SA time).
A draw or a victory will see Amakhosi advance to the last eight as group winners, marking what would be their third quarter-final appearance in a CAF competition.
Return to Egypt
This will be Kaizer Chiefs’ second trip to Egypt in the current campaign. They opened their group-stage campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Al Masry SC in Suez in November.
Saturday’s match will take place at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia – a venue Kaizer Chiefs have previously visited.
Their last appearance there was in 2001, when they drew 1-1 with Ismaily SC in the second leg of the CAF Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final.
Kaizer Chiefs have yet to record a victory on Egyptian soil, having lost three and drawn one of their four previous matches in the country.
History between the sides
This will be the fourth meeting between Kaizer Chiefs and Zamalek. Their first encounters came in 1993 in the second round of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, now known as the CAF Champions League.
Zamalek progressed on away goals after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate. In the current competition, the two sides played to a 1-1 draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on matchday two.
Across their three previous meetings, each side has claimed one win, with one draw.
Overall, Kaizer Chiefs have faced Egyptian opposition nine times prior to this fixture, recording two wins, two draws and five defeats.
Their recent 1-0 victory over Al Masry ended a seven-match winless streak against Egyptian clubs in continental competition – their first such win since defeating Zamalek in 1993.
Group standings and records
Kaizer Chiefs top Group D with 10 points, two ahead of Zamalek on eight. A positive result in Egypt would secure top spot and momentum heading into the knockout stages.
Zamalek, meanwhile, have faced South African opposition 13 times in CAF competitions, winning five, drawing two and losing six. At home against South African teams, they have won three and lost three of their six matches.
With qualification on the line and history between the sides, Saturday’s encounter promises to be a high-stakes battle as Amakhosi seek to rewrite their record in Egypt and book a place in the quarter-finals.
Prediction
Zamalek 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs
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