Chiefs’ Royal Bafokeng fixture secured by CAF Confederation Cup bye

Kaizer Chiefs’ home league match against Siwelele will remain on its planned weekend date after the club received a first-round bye in the CAF Confederation Cup.

CAF is holding the draws for its two men’s inter-club competitions in Cairo, Egypt, today. The way entries for the second-tier competition have been organised means Chiefs are among the eight highest-rated teams and will not take part in the opening qualifying round.

The other clubs benefiting from byes include Al Ahly, USM Alger, CR Belouizdad, Raja Casablanca and AS FAR Rabat, with the places determined by the latest CAF five-year ranking system.

Chiefs had originally been expected to enter the Confederation Cup in the first preliminary round. However, issues concerning the entrant from Congo Brazzaville have changed the schedule and allowed Fernando da Cruz’s side to move directly into the second qualifying round.

That development means Chiefs’ league meeting with Siwelele at Royal Bafokeng will be played on Saturday, 5 September, rather than being moved to a midweek slot.

A midweek rearrangement would have been required had Chiefs needed to play in the first qualifying round of the Confederation Cup. The switch could also have affected attendance at the match.

The Soweto club attracted strong support at Royal Bafokeng in Rustenburg when they faced Zimbabwean champions Scottland in the Toyota Cup. Chiefs last hosted a league fixture at the stadium on 14 May 2023, when they played SuperSport United.

Royal Bafokeng is set to serve as an alternative home venue for Chiefs during the current season. The club will also welcome TS Galaxy there on 15 December.

Their away match against Polokwane City on 12 September will not be affected by the continental schedule. A full house is expected at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium for that fixture.

Chiefs are due to begin their CAF Confederation Cup campaign in October. Should they progress, the group-stage programme will start in November.

The draw taking place today will establish Chiefs’ opponents for the second qualifying round, with the first and second legs scheduled for 16-18 October and 23-25 October respectively.

Durban City will enter the draw for the first qualifying round.

The bye represents Chiefs’ second consecutive appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup and gives the club additional time to prepare for its continental campaign while preserving a weekend date for the Royal Bafokeng meeting with Siwelele.