Kaizer Chiefs crash out of CAF Confederations Cup after penalty shootout defeat

Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated from the CAF Confederations Cup Preliminary Round after a penalty shootout defeat by Red Arrows, despite Bradley Cross’s goal securing a 1-0 victory in the second leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The result left the tie level at 1-1 on aggregate after Red Arrows had won the first leg 1-0 in Ndola a week earlier. Chiefs were beaten 4-2 on penalties in the opening account of the match, while the later match report recorded the shootout as a 3-1 defeat.

The loss adds to growing concerns around the Amakhosi camp after a difficult run of results and renewed questions about tensions within the squad.

A confrontation between goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner and defender Reeve Frosler during the first leg had already raised eyebrows. Head coach Fernando Da Cruz dismissed the incident as a reaction in the heat of the moment, while captain Inacio Miguel said the tension between the pair was not necessarily a negative development.

Frosler is one of the longest-serving players in the current Naturena squad, while Leaner is a new recruit in his debut season with Chiefs. The incident came after a fourth successive defeat for Amakhosi in all competitions.

Leaner’s absence from the squad for Friday night’s return leg in Durban nevertheless prompted further questions. He was left out completely, with Bruce Bvuma starting in goal and Brandon Petersen named among the substitutes.

Bvuma produced a steady display and kept a clean sheet as Chiefs overturned the first-leg deficit. Cross, the Bafana Bafana left-back, scored the decisive goal to take the tie to a shootout.

Chiefs were dealt an early blow when Lebogang Maboe missed their opening penalty. Bvuma then saved Red Arrows’ first attempt, appearing to give his side an advantage.

That opportunity disappeared when Frosler failed to convert his spot-kick, leaving Chiefs facing another early exit from continental competition. The remaining penalties went against Amakhosi as Red Arrows secured progress.

Chiefs now have little time to recover from the disappointment, with TS Galaxy waiting in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals on Tuesday night.

The result means Da Cruz’s side must quickly turn their attention to that domestic tie, while also addressing their internal issues and improving their preparation for penalty shootouts.