Kaizer Chiefs played out to a goalless draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Linafoot side AS Simba in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round tie at the TP Mazembe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The result leaves everything to play for ahead of the return leg at the FNB Stadium next week, with both sides eyeing a spot in the competition’s group stages.
It was a match of limited chances for the South African giants, who had to dig deep under the scorching skies of Lubumbashi. The compact TP Mazembe Stadium, filled to its near 18,500 capacity, provided a hostile atmosphere that made life difficult for Amakhosi.
The hosts enjoyed a spell of early dominance, pressing Chiefs back in search of a home advantage. However, the visitors remained organised and patient, looking to capitalise on any opportunity to grab a crucial away goal.
Chiefs have not reached the group stages of any continental competition since their memorable 2021 CAF Champions League campaign, where they went all the way to the final before losing 3–0 to Al Ahly.
While this is a different tournament, it comes at a time when the club is seeking to re-establish itself among South Africa’s elite. The Confed Cup presents another chance to restore pride after a difficult few seasons.
Amakhosi’s return to continental football began last month with a hard-fought win over Angolan side Kabuscorp in the first preliminary round. They entered this fixture hoping to bounce back from a painful 5–4 penalty shootout defeat to Stellenbosch FC in the Carling Knockout, prior to the international break.
With new coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef officially in charge until the end of the season, Amakhosi continue to be on the hunt for a fresh and positive start under their new leaders. They came close to snatching the lead before halftime when Khanyisa Mayo unleashed a powerful strike that beat the Simba goalkeeper, only for the crossbar to deny him a potential opener.
Both sides exchanged promising attacks in the second half, but neither could find the breakthrough as defences held firm. The tie now heads back to South Africa, where the decisive leg at FNB Stadium will determine who advances to the competitions group stages.
