Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has voiced his opinion on the gilt-edged chance missed by attacker Ashley du Preez during Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup Second Preliminary Round, first leg clash with AS Simba.
The Soweto giants played to a goalless draw against their Congolese opponents at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi.
It was a match of missed opportunities, especially by Chiefs, who witnessed Khanyisa Mayo being denied by the crossbar. Du Preez also missed a sitter while facing an open goal, while Mfundo Vilakazi forced the home side’s goalkeeper to make a desperate but spectacular save.
However, it was Du Preez’s dramatic miss which provided the biggest talking point, including discussion about the quality of Amakhosi’s forwards.
Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala combined well to set up Du Preez, who was unmarked inside the goal area with no goalkeeper to beat, but strangely blazed over the bar.
CHIEFS COACH’S THOUGHTS ABOUT DU PREEZ’S MISS
“I think in the first half we got two opportunities to score. We were unlucky. One of them was the crossbar of Mayo, and the second in the 88th minute,” said Ben Youssef.
“I think a good combination between Shabalala and Vilakazi, and then Shabalala gave Ashley the ball. He was unlucky. Even though it was an empty goal, he was unlucky. The ball was out.”
This leaves the second leg at Dobsonville Stadium next Saturday, anyone’s game, and Amakhosi at risk of being eliminated in the event of a scoring draw. But Ben Youssef insists their game plan worked well.
“I think we succeeded in the plan of the game, how we managed the first 45 minutes, and we know that in the second half, we would find a lot of space.
“And we got two opportunities in the second half to score, but we were unlucky not to score. Now it’s finished, the first leg, first game, we still have another game.
“Also, I think it will be tough for us. It will be difficult because the Simba team is a good team. They show us a lot of quality today [Saturday]. It’s a physical team; they are not a tactical team. A lot of physique.
“We’ll have time to analyse again, this game, and to find and prepare our team for the next game. Our target is to be first in the group stage, then to manage game by game, and we try to do our best to make our fans happy about the situation.”
Before the Simba return leg, Chiefs have Siwelele FC to worry about in a Betway Premiership match at home on Wednesday as they seek to end a three-match winless streak.
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