Chiefs face Confederation Cup fightback as Pirates edge African Stars

Kaizer Chiefs must overturn a 1-0 deficit against Red Arrows in Johannesburg next week after suffering a damaging defeat in the first leg of their Confederation Cup qualifier in Zambia.

Alassane Diarra scored for Arrows after 76 minutes at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, converting after Chiefs failed to deal with a corner. The result leaves Fernando da Cruz’s side needing a significantly improved performance at home to reach the group stages.

Amakhosi struggled to control the match in Ndola and created too few opportunities. Their vulnerability from set pieces will also concern Da Cruz, with conceding from dead-ball situations having caused problems for the side on occasion.

Chiefs began with Ricardo Learner, Thabiso Monyane, Thabo Moloisane, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Mduduzi Tshabalala, Mfundo Vilakazi and Luke Baartman among their starting line-up.

Da Cruz attempted to inject more attacking threat after the interval, bringing on Flavio da Silva, Etiosa Ighodaro and Wandile Duba for Baartman, Vilakazi and Tshabalala, who had failed to make enough impact.

The visitors were forced into an early change when Monyane was injured after 30 minutes and replaced by Thulani Mabaso. His availability for the return leg remains uncertain.

Failure to progress would be a significant setback for Chiefs, who want to remain involved in continental football. The standard of the Confederation Cup has improved considerably in recent years, with strong teams now competing in both the group and knockout stages.

Many of the clubs involved towards the latter stages of the Confederation Cup are also competing deep into the Champions League, creating a demanding level of competition that can benefit developing players.

A group-stage exit would therefore represent a missed opportunity for Tshabalala, Vilakazi, Baartman, Ighodaro, Bradley Cross, Langelihle Phili, Asanele Velebayi, Faiz Abrahams and Duba.

Pirates take advantage

Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, moved closer to the Champions League group stages with a hard-fought 1-0 win over African Stars of Namibia at Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone.

Tshepang Moremi, one of the Buccaneers’ stand-out performers in all competitions this season, scored the decisive goal after 75 minutes.

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

Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou largely retained 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 kept their places, while Nkosikhona Ndaba, Thalente Mbatha and Yanela Mbuthuma returned to the starting XI.

The changes gave Pirates a different balance in defence and attack. Ouaddou later used Sbangani Zulu, Evidence Makgopa, Mpho Padime and Mthetheli Mthiyane from the bench in place of Sibisi, Mbuthuma, Moremi and Selepe.

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

He will look to experienced players including Chaine, Sibisi, Deon Hotto, Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, Moremi, Mohau Nkota and Makgopa to lead the challenge. Progress would also provide valuable continental experience for emerging players such as Seema and Mbuthuma.