Chiefs to host Red Arrows CAF Confederation Cup tie at Moses Mabhida Stadium

Kaizer Chiefs will play their CAF Confederation Cup home match against Red Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, with the fixture expected to take place on Saturday, October 24.

The second preliminary round is scheduled across October 16/18 and October 23/25. Chiefs’ away leg has already been confirmed for Saturday, October 17, when they will face the Zambian club at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Red Arrows cannot use their usual home ground, Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, because it does not meet CAF requirements. The alternative venue is 330km from their traditional base.

The confirmation of the first-leg date has also affected Chiefs’ domestic schedule. Their league meeting with Stellenbosch, originally set for the same day at FNB Stadium, will now be played on October 13.

Chiefs return to Durban

Moses Mabhida Stadium is among the alternative venues listed for Chiefs this season, alongside Royal Bafokeng and Peter Mokaba Stadium. The club have also been required to host Siwelele at Dobsonville Stadium.

Chiefs last played at the Durban venue in May, when they were beaten by Chippa United.

The return fixture against Red Arrows will be Chiefs’ second match in the tie and is due to be staged between October 23 and 25, with October 24 considered the likely date.

That match will create further pressure on the club’s domestic commitments. The PSL has reserved Saturday, October 24 for the Carling Knockout last-16 fixtures, but sides involved in CAF competitions will play their Carling Knockout first-round matches in midweek instead.

Chiefs could therefore face a demanding run of fixtures, with their Carling Knockout match scheduled only days before the Soweto derby on October 31.

Quarter-final deadline adds pressure

The fixture congestion could continue into November if Chiefs progress in the Carling Knockout.

The quarter-finals are scheduled for November 7, before the November FIFA international window begins on November 9 and runs until November 17. Chiefs would have to complete their quarter-final before that break, adding another match to a calendar already containing domestic and continental commitments.

Their immediate focus, however, will be the two-legged CAF Confederation Cup tie. The opening match against Red Arrows will be played in Ndola, before Chiefs return to South Africa for the decisive home fixture at Moses Mabhida Stadium.