Cairo Calling: Kaizer Chiefs one point away from historic CAF Confederation Cup quarters berth

Kaizer Chiefs are within a whisker of an achievement that will go a long way towards re-establishing them as a force in not only the local game but on the continent as well.

Amakhosi need just a draw away to Zamalek on Saturday to book their place in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals. This follows their hard-fought 2-1 victory over Al Masry at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday, thanks to a clinical penalty from Flavio Silva and a 60th-minute winner from Aden McCarthy.

The Glamour Boys now top Group D with ten points, two ahead of Zamalek and three clear of Al Masry. It is a feat few would have predicted when the draw for the continent’s secondary competition was made, but such is the unpredictability of the game at this level that all three teams have topped the group at various stages.

Now that Chiefs have seemingly peaked at the right time, their co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef admitted after the win that nothing can be taken for granted.

“Next Saturday we have another final, and we have to come away with a minimum of one point from Egypt to qualify,” Ben Youssef said. “All the players know the importance of this game, and we have to continue to work to come back with the results.”

He admitted that they never expected an easy ride and, despite being top of the group with one match to go, the campaign has been gruelling.

“We always knew it would be the most difficult group. Zamalek is a big team, and they and Al Masry have the experience, while we had been out of continental competition for the last five years. More than 80% of our players are playing in African football for the first time.”

The Tunisian tactician also sought to clarify that their victory over Zesco United in the previous round was not the "walk in the park" some may have perceived it to be, emphasizing the physical toll and tactical discipline required to navigate the group stages.