Amakhosi’s chance to claim elusive silverware
AFTER already having passed up on two chances this season to win some elusive silverware, the CAF Confederation Cup might just be the platform for Kaizer Chiefs to restore some lost pride.
Chiefs get their campaign underway tonight at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium against Zanzibar outfit Zimamoto, with the return leg scheduled for next Tuesday.
The Glamour Boys went three seasons without winning a trophy under previous coach Steve Komphela, and have not really shown a great deal of improvement under Giovanni Solinas this term, despite the high profile signings of Khama Billiat and Lebogang Manyama.
After being bundled out of the MTN8 in the first round by SuperSport United in August, Chiefs relinquished another chance to win a trophy when they were beaten 2-1 by Orlando Pirates in a Telkom Knockout semi-final last weekend.
It was a second successive defeat in a month to their bitter rivals, and the clear difference in performance levels between the Soweto rivals right now will be a bitter pill for Chiefs fans to swallow.
There is still the Nedbank Cup after the Christmas break, and although Amakhosi are not out the running for the league, they appear to be lagging behind other potential champions such as Pirates, Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns, with SuperSport also in the mix.
While it can hardly be said Chiefs have had a bad start to the season, something still appears amiss and they look like they need a bit of a jump-start.
A strong run in the Confederation Cup, which is usually devoid of Africa’s biggest clubs who take part in the Champions League, could therefore offer Solinas and his men the chance to restore their flagging confidence.
On paper, South Africa’s bestsupported club should not have too many issues navigating through the preliminary and first rounds, although many Premiership clubs have learnt the hard way not to underestimate some of the less illustrious African teams.
Zimamoto won the Zanzibar league in 2016, with their only appearance in continental competition resulting in elimination at the preliminary phase of the 2017 Champions League.
A team of Amakhosi’s resources should surely be beating this kind of opposition, and if they do, they’ll face either Equatorial Guinea side Deportivo Unidad or Madagascar’s ASM Elgeco Plus in the first round.
After that, it could become a lot more tricky as the 16 remaining teams in the Confederation Cup will be drawn against the 16 teams which lost in the first round of the Champions League.
For now though, the focus is on the match in Port Elizabeth.
“We have to stick together,” said midfielder George Maluleka. “We want to do well in Africa. It will be a step up for us. It’s important for the club to succeed in Africa. Kaizer Chiefs are one of the biggest clubs in Africa and that comes with responsibilities.”
Solinas has pleaded with the fans to stay on board, while also talking about beefing up his squad in the January transfer window. “I believe we can change this situation,” said Solinas. “We also have our plan for the market. I want to tell our supporters not to abandon the club.”