Kaizer Chiefs kick off their CAF Confederation Cup group-stage journey on Sunday evening in Egypt.
After three wins on the bounce and an improved squad, Amakhosi are expected to make Africa sit up and take note.
ROGER DE SA BACKS KAIZER CHIEFS TO MAKE THE CAF CONFEDERATION CUP QUARTERFINALS
Former Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa has been scanning the continent from afar. Now assisting Oman’s national team, he didn’t need a second invitation to share his verdict on Group D… and it’s one Amakhosi fans will like.
“I think Kaizer Chiefs have a fantastic opportunity,” De Sa told FARPost from Oman. “Firstly, the teams are known, all three of them [Zamalek SC, Zesco and Al-Masry].
The former Santos, Wits and Ajax Cape Town coach added that Zamalek and Zesco have a degree of CAF pedigree, except Al-Masry, who are merely a mid-table team in Egypt.
“But I think Kaizer Chiefs, even with Zamalek, they are not what they used to be. They have had so many financial problems. Even from my time in Egypt… they had issues.
“So they are a club that is always in turmoil. I know for a fact that there are always delays in salaries and other things. So it is a good time to play them. They are no longer the powerhouse of Egyptian football at all.”
De Sa also believes Zesco United, despite being tough at home, are beatable, and that the intimidating African away fixtures has faded.
“African football is not what it used to be; it is not as daunting as it used to be going away from home. That away factor from 10–15 years ago is not the same. The refereeing has improved.”
With all that in mind, he says Amakhosi are positioned perfectly.
“I think Kaizer Chiefs have a great opportunity to top this group and make their way to the knockout stages. I think they’ve put up a good squad and seem to be pretty settled… Instead of Zamalek, I would strongly say Chiefs are the favourites to top this group.”
ROGER DE SA’S AUTHORITY
De Sa is seen as one of the key figures who reignited South Africa’s hunger for CAF success. Long before continental football became fashionable again, he took Orlando Pirates to the 2013 CAF Champions League final, making the whole country believe it was possible.
What followed was a new era. Mamelodi Sundowns went on to win the Champions League in 2016, Kaizer Chiefs reached the final in 2021. Last season, Pirates made the semi-finals while Sundowns fell to Pyramids in the final.
The CAF Confederation Cup has seen similar consistent progress. Pirates reached two finals (2015 and 2022), SuperSport United finished runners-up in 2017, and Marumo Gallants and Stellenbosch FC both shocked the continent with semi-final runs in 2023 and 2024.
Over to you Kaizer Chiefs!
Read more articles by Siseko Gwegwe here.
