The mighty Kaizer Chiefs are back where they belong, in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages.
The Soweto giants did it in style, defeating AS Simba 3-1 at Dobsonville Stadium after a tense goalless first leg in Lubumbashi last weekend.
KAIZER CHIEFS COACH CEDRIC KAZE ON THE MARCH TO THE CAF CONFEDERATION GROUP STAGE
Amakhosi wasted no time in Soweto, lighting up the first half with all three goals. Etiosa Ighodaro opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, followed by a strike from defender Zitha Kwinika in the 14th, before Glody Lilepo made it 3-0 in the 26th minute.
Coach Cedric Kaze was full of praise for his players after the game. “We are very happy to qualify, to go through to the group stages,” he told SuperSport TV.
“You can see how happy the fans are. We went into the game with the right mentality from the first minute to try and make things happen. I am very happy for the club and the players, who put in a tremendous effort.”
The victory not only ends a 12-year wait for Kaizer Chiefs fans to see their team in the group stages but also gives the squad a huge confidence boost.
After last season’s Nedbank Cup triumph, this CAFCC qualification signals that Amakhosi are ready to make their mark again on the continental stage.
The last deep run ended in the last 16, when the South African giants lost 3-1 on aggregate to ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast.
In the meantime, the next game is in the local Betway Premiership. Durban City FC will welcome Kaze’s troops to the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday at 19:30.
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