Kaizer Chiefs face uphill task after Red Arrows defeat as Orlando Pirates win in Botswana

Kaizer Chiefs’ hopes of reaching the Confederation Cup group stages suffered a major setback as they were beaten 1-0 by Red Arrows in Zambia on Saturday.

Alassane Diarra scored the only goal after 76 minutes at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, capitalising after Chiefs failed to clear a corner. The South African side must now overturn the deficit in the second leg in Johannesburg next week.

Chiefs struggled to control the match in Ndola and created too few opportunities, meaning they will need a considerably improved display in front of their home supporters.

Manager Fernando da Cruz will also be concerned that his side conceded from a set piece, an area which has caused them problems on occasion.

Da Cruz began with Renaldo Leaner, Thabiso Monyane, Thabo Moloisane, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Mduduzi Shabalala, Mfundo Vilakazi and Luke Baartman in his starting line-up.

Monyane was forced off after 30 minutes with an injury and was replaced by Thulani Mabaso. It remains unclear whether the defender will recover in time for the return fixture.

Chiefs introduced Flavio da Silva, Etiosa Ighodaro and Wandile Duba after half-time as they looked for a route back into the tie. Baartman, Vilakazi and Shabalala made way.

Failure to reach the group stages would be a significant disappointment for Chiefs, who are aiming to establish themselves as a regular presence in continental football.

The Confederation Cup has grown considerably in quality in recent years, with many of the sides reaching its group and knockout stages also progressing deep into the Champions League. Their involvement offers strong competition and valuable experience for players.

Bradley Cross, Shabalala, Vilakazi, Baartman, Langelihle Phili, Asanele Velebayi, Faiz Abrahams, Wandile Duba and Ighodaro could all miss out on that opportunity if Chiefs are eliminated.

Pirates take first-leg advantage

Orlando Pirates secured a narrow advantage in their Champions League qualification tie by defeating African Stars of Namibia 1-0 at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone.

Tshepang Moremi, one of the Buccaneers’ outstanding performers across all competitions this season, scored the decisive goal after 75 minutes.

His form is expected to earn him a place in the squad of Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane for next month’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Kenya.

Pirates manager Abdeslam Ouaddou made limited changes to the team that defeated TS Galaxy in the league during the week. Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Lebone Seema, Bulelani Sigomoshe, Simphiwe Selepe and Gamphani Lungu retained their places.

Nkosikhona Ndaba, Thalente Mbatha and Yanela Mbuthuma returned to the starting line-up, adding a different dimension to Pirates’ defensive and attacking shape.

Ouaddou later sent on Sbangani Zulu, Evidence Makgopa, Mpho Padime and Mthetheli Mthiyane for Sibisi, Mbuthuma, Moremi and Selepe.

The victory puts Pirates in a strong position to reach the group stages, where Ouaddou and his youthful squad would face a higher level of competition.

He will look to experienced players including Chaine, Sibisi, Deon Hotto, Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, Moremi, Mohau Nkota and Makgopa, all of whom have continental experience with Bafana Bafana.

Youngsters such as Seema and Mbuthuma would also benefit from the exposure, while Mosimane would gain promising players with experience at that level.