Kaizer Chiefs target Carling Knockout success after CAF Confederation Cup exit

Kaizer Chiefs defender Reeve Frosler says the club remain determined to win a trophy this season despite their elimination from two competitions.

The Soweto side were knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup by Zambian club Red Arrows on Friday, suffering a 3-2 defeat on penalties at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Bradley Cross’ 66th-minute header gave Kaizer Chiefs a 1-0 win on the night and levelled the tie at 1-1 on aggregate. However, Red Arrows prevailed in the shootout, with Frosler among the Amakhosi players to miss from the spot.

That result followed Kaizer Chiefs’ earlier departure from the MTN8, leaving Fernando da Cruz’s team with three domestic competitions in which they can still compete: the Betway Premiership, Carling Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup.

Frosler acknowledged the disappointment of the continental exit but said the squad’s attention had quickly turned to their next opportunity to challenge for silverware.

“It’s disappointing falling out of the CAF competition,” Frosler told Kaizer Chiefs Media.

“The guys did well to try and get back after the first leg in Zambia, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

“But now our full focus goes onto the Carling Cup. We’ll look to put our best foot forward on Tuesday and try and go all the way in the Carling Cup. We have ambitions of wanting to win a trophy, and this gives us an opportunity to try and do that.”

Chiefs face TS Galaxy in last-16 tie

Kaizer Chiefs have the chance to respond immediately when they meet TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout Cup round of 16 at FNB Stadium on Tuesday. The match is scheduled to begin at 19:00.

Frosler said TS Galaxy, known as the Rockets, have proved difficult opponents for Kaizer Chiefs in recent meetings. He also stressed that a cup tie brings different demands from a league fixture.

Victory would send the Amakhosi into the quarter-finals and provide a route towards the silverware Frosler says the team still wants to claim.

The timing of the match is significant, with Kaizer Chiefs also preparing for a major domestic fixture against Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates on Saturday. The Glamour Boys must therefore recover quickly from the emotional penalty-shootout defeat and avoid another early cup exit.