Red Arrows earn praise after sending Kaizer Chiefs out of CAF Confederation Cup

Praise has continued to arrive for Red Arrows after the Zambian club eliminated South African football giants Kaizer Chiefs from the CAF Confederation Cup.

Red Arrows secured their place in the group stages by winning a penalty shootout in the second leg of the second preliminary round at Moses Mabhida Stadium last weekend.

Kaizer Chiefs won the match 1-0 on the day, bringing the tie level at 1-1 on aggregate after Red Arrows had won the first leg in Botswana. But the Zambian side remained composed from the spot to complete the upset.

Zambia defence minister congratulates club

Zambia’s Minister of Defence, Maambo Haamaundu, was among those to recognise Red Arrows’ achievement, praising the team’s resilience and determination.

“Congratulations to Red Arrows for qualifying to the Group Stages of the CAF Confederations Cup,” Haamaundu said, according to the club’s media department.

“Your resilience and determination in this journey is very much admirable.

“Going to South Africa and beating a renowned club like Kaizer Chiefs is not a small achievement.

“I wish to congratulate the Zambia Air Force Commander Lt Gen Oscar Nyoni, Officers and soldiers, the Technical Bench and players at Red Arrows for this milestone.

“We are proud as a Ministry that you have made Zambia proud.”

The result ended Kaizer Chiefs’ involvement in the competition, while Red Arrows moved through to the next phase after holding their nerve in the shootout.

Group-stage draw to take place in Cairo

Red Arrows will learn their group-stage opponents on Wednesday afternoon, when CAF conducts the draw in Cairo, Egypt.

The club will now prepare for the group phase hoping to build on its elimination of Kaizer Chiefs and continue its run in the continental competition.