Kaizer Chiefs coach Khalil Ben Youssef has described his side’s CAF Confederation Cup section as the “group of death” as the tournament heads into a decisive final round of matches this weekend.
The Soweto club lead Group D with 10 points, but their position remains far from secure in one of the most competitive pools of the competition.
Egyptian giants Zamalek SC are second on eight points, with fellow Egyptians Al Masry SC close behind in third with seven.
Bottom side ZESCO United, despite sitting last, remain influential after recording a surprise victory over Zamalek in the previous round.
Sunday’s fixtures could yet reshape the standings again, with Kaizer Chiefs travelling to Cairo to face Zamalek, while ZESCO United make the trip to Al Masry.
With only the top two teams progressing, the margin for error remains slim.
Speaking ahead of the final group matches, Ben Youssef said the strength and unpredictability of the group had been evident from the outset, with the lead changing hands regularly as results fluctuated.
“I think when we found out the group compositions, we immediately said that the most difficult group would be ours. Facing one of the biggest teams in Egypt, Zamalek, but also Al Masry who have a lot of experience – they have participated in this competition in recent seasons,” he said.
The Tunisian coach highlighted the challenge faced by his squad, many of whom are experiencing continental football for the first time after Kaizer Chiefs’ absence from the tournament in recent years.
“For us, it had been five years since we last competed in this tournament. More than 80% or 85% of our players are playing in this type of tournament for the first time. You can see the results; every week a new team takes the lead in the group.”
Ben Youssef also rejected suggestions that Chiefs’ away victory in Zambia was straightforward, pointing to the physical and environmental demands of the match.
“Bringing three points back from Zambia, some people think it was easy, but it was very difficult for us. We expended a lot of energy, it was hot, the pitch was difficult. You saw today [Sunday] Zamalek’s result, they lost against Zesco.”
Despite acknowledging the quality across the group, the coach accepted that the competition format leaves no room for sentiment.
“I think it’s a tough group, we have to keep fighting and, honestly, all three teams deserve to qualify but those are the rules – only two of us will go through.”
Ben Youssef said his team approached every fixture with the mindset of a knockout tie, an approach he believes has put Chiefs in a strong position.
“To be honest, from the beginning we said that the main thing for us is to play each match like a cup final and, at the end of the six matches, we will see if we have qualified,” he added.
“We are satisfied, and even if we don’t qualify, we will still be happy for the players because they played very well and fought hard in every match. It’s a tough, very competitive group. Playing against Zamalek in Egypt, nobody can say that will be easy.”
Looking ahead to the showdown in Cairo, he stressed that the focus remains firmly on qualification rather than final group position.
“It will be a tough match against their experience. We hope to qualify, yes, but finishing first or second, we don’t know. For us, the next match will be a cup final. We’ll have to fight, keep fighting for qualification.”
