Mfundo Vilakazi targets winning start for Kaizer Chiefs in CAF Confederation Cup

Kaizer Chiefs attacker Mfundo Vilakazi says his side are determined to begin their CAF Confederation Cup campaign with victory against Red Arrows FC in Zambia on Saturday.

The Soweto club will play their opening continental fixture at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, with kick-off scheduled for 15h00 South African time.

Chiefs travel to Zambia after drawing each of their past three Betway Premiership matches. Their most recent result was a 1-1 draw at home to Stellenbosch on Tuesday night.

Vilakazi believes Kaizer Chiefs can draw confidence from their previous visit to Zambia, when they defeated fellow Zambian club ZESCO United last season.

“Training was good. It’s very hot here but we’ll manage. I think we are ready for tomorrow,” Vilakazi told the Kaizer Chiefs official website.

“Last time we played here we won so I think we must do the same again.”

The 19-year-old said the team had studied Red Arrows FC and expected a difficult contest, while insisting Chiefs would not take their opponents lightly.

“We saw some of them in our video session. They are a good team and we won’t underestimate them,” he added.

Red Arrows FC reached this stage after beating FC Rogue 4-0 on aggregate in the first preliminary round.

Kaizer Chiefs’ first continental assignment comes after Vilakazi also featured for the South Africa under-23 side during the recent international break, giving him additional playing time before returning to his club.

“I’m really happy about it but for now I am totally focused on my club and what we need to do,” he said.

The match represents the start of Chiefs’ campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup, with the club seeking to carry their previous success in Zambia into Saturday’s encounter.