Wits, Chiefs and Downs primed for African leap

will have four teams (Orlando Pirates were given a preliminary round bye) in continental football for the first round proper.

“I really think our teams will be too strong for their opponents,” said Khan, who was assistant coach when Chiefs won the second-tier continental competition back in 2001. “I’d be very surprised if any of them didn’t make it through.”

Besides the local teams’ strength, Khan is basing his standpoint on the first leg results.

Though he was surprised that Absa Premiership champions Sundowns only managed a 1-1 draw at the Seychelles’ St Michel, Khan believes Pitso Mosimane’s men will prove too strong for the islanders.

“Obviously that was not a good outing for them because Sundowns shouldn’t be struggling against such a team. But I think they have too much quality to get knocked out so early.

“Even with the pressures of their attempt to close the gap on Chiefs, I think Sundowns should be able to compete and do well on both fronts. Their chairman has opened the chequebook to see them get that star in Africa and St Michel won’t stop them.”

Khan is also of the same view about Chiefs who were made to sweat by Botswana’s Township Rollers in the first leg.

“Rollers showed a lot of character and fighting spirit when they came here. But Chiefs did very well as they managed to get that late winner.

“That goal by (Tefu) Mashamaite was very key for Chiefs going into the second leg because it takes pressure off them. I can’t see Rollers stop- ping Chiefs.”

Wits take a 3-0 lead to nearby Swaziland in the Confederation Cup and even with their secondstring side, Khan is giving Royal Leopards no chance of pulling the rug from underneath Gavin Hunt’s side. “Gavin is doing a very good job by giving youngsters a chance to gain experience. He is building a big base for his squad.”