Roger De Sa hails Kaizer Chiefs’ continental revival as vital for South African football

Kaizer Chiefs are within touching distance of a long-awaited return to continental relevance — and former Orlando Pirates coach Roger De Sa has given his full endorsement.

The Soweto giants need only a narrow win over AS Simba at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday to reach the CAF Confederation Cup group stages for the first time in 12 years.

Chiefs have impressed under new management, edging Angola’s Kabuscorp 1-0 on aggregate before securing a goalless draw in Lubumbashi last week.

Now, they are 90 minutes away from joining Africa’s elite 16 clubs — a prospect that excites De Sa, a man who helped reignite South Africa’s passion for African football.

De Sa, who guided Pirates to the CAF Champions League final in 2013, said Kaizer Chiefs’ resurgence could have a transformative impact on the local game.

“Good to see Chiefs also becoming competitive,” he told The South African.

“A good Kaizer Chiefs in South African football is vital. It just brings the whole standard up and makes it a whole lot more competitive as well.”

He believes South African clubs should consistently perform at continental level, given their infrastructure and financial strength.

“Every South African club that competes in CAF should be able to make the group stages,” De Sa said.

“Looking around the African continent, it is really us, Egypt and Morocco, who should be leading the pack.”

The veteran coach also linked club success to national progress, arguing that strong CAF performances improve Bafana Bafana’s competitiveness.

“If we do well, our national team will do well. We can see what’s happening now, and it is all a reflection on what’s happening at the clubs,” he added.

For Amakhosi, Saturday’s tie is more than a qualifying fixture. It represents a chance to reclaim their place among Africa’s best — and to reaffirm South Africa’s fading presence in continental football.

Meanwhile, Chiefs return to domestic duty this evening when they face Siwelele FC in the Betway Premiership, looking to maintain momentum ahead of their crucial CAF showdown.