Kaizer Chiefs knocked out of CAF Confederation Cup by Red Arrows on penalties

Kaizer Chiefs have been eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup after Red Arrows won a penalty shoot-out to reach the group stages following a 1-1 aggregate draw.

Chiefs secured a 1-0 victory in the second leg, with Bradley Cross scoring in the second half. However, the South African side missed three penalties in the shoot-out, including the decisive attempt from Ethan Chislett, allowing their Zambian opponents to progress.

The Amakhosi had needed an outright win in the return leg to overturn the first-leg result and move beyond Red Arrows. They were also forced to make a late change in goal after Renaldo Leaner suffered an injury during the team’s final training session, with Bruce Bvuma taking his place.

Chiefs began with purpose and created the first significant opportunity around the six-yard box. A quick attacking move opened space for Thulani Mabaso, but his effort towards the far side was gathered by Red Arrows goalkeeper Charles Kalumba.

The visitors responded when captain Paul Katema moved towards the edge of the area to meet a reverse pass after Chiefs failed to clear a loose ball. His shot beat Bvuma but found the side-netting.

Chiefs finished the opening half strongly and were close to breaking the deadlock when Pule Mmodi met Reeve Frosler’s cross from the byline with a free header at the far post. Kalumba was again equal to the effort.

Ten minutes after the interval, Chiefs changed their attacking approach by introducing Mfundo Vilakazi for Faiz Abrahams as they searched for the goal that would put them ahead on aggregate.

The breakthrough arrived midway through the second half. Vilakazi delivered a cleverly worked free-kick and Cross rose above the defence to head the ball into the bottom corner.

Red Arrows looked for an equaliser that would restore their advantage in the tie, but Chiefs continued to press and almost added a second. Mmodi reached Vilakazi’s cutback, though he lifted his attempt over the crossbar.

The home side had another clear chance when Shabalala ran through one-on-one after receiving a forward pass from substitute Chislett. Kalumba stood firm and denied him.

With neither team able to find a winner in normal time and the aggregate score level, the tie went to penalties. Chiefs’ failure to convert three spot-kicks proved costly, and Chislett’s miss with the final attempt confirmed Red Arrows’ place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages.