Kaizer Chiefs are set for a challenging test in the CAF Confederation Cup as they face Egyptian club Al-Masry SC, and here are three details about the Soweto giants’ North African opponents.
The CAF Confederation Cup group stage begins for Chiefs this Sunday as they travel to Egypt for a high-stakes encounter against Al-Masry. The match will take place at 18:00 at the Suez Stadium in the town of Suez. Amakhosi’s Group D also features two formidable sides: Egyptian giants Zamalek SC and Zesco United of Zambia.
Chiefs head into the showdown on the back of three consecutive wins in all competitions, including the 3-1 win over AS Simba in the previous round and a 4-1 victory over Orbit College FC in the Betway Premiership.
Al-Masry are coming off three goalless draws and a 2-1 win over Al-Ittihad in the second-round qualifiers of this event.
As Chiefs aim to open their group phase account on a high, FARPost provides a closer look at the three things Amakhosi and their fans need to know about Al-Masry.
WHO ARE THEY: AL-MASRY?
Al-Masry, known as The Green Eagles, were founded in 1920 in Port Said by Egyptian nationalists and quickly became a symbol of local pride at a time when most clubs in the city were foreign-owned. The name ‘Al-Masry’ literally means ‘The Egyptian’, reflecting the club’s identity and purpose. Despite never winning the Egyptian Premier League, their biggest success is the 1998 Egypt Cup.
The club’s story also carries tragedy. The 2012 Port Said Stadium disaster marked one of the darkest moments in Egyptian football when 74 fans lost their lives during a bloody clash with Al-Ahly fans, forcing Al-Masry to withdraw from the following season. Their old stadium was later demolished, and they now await a new home. Still, the team has rebuilt itself in recent years, regularly finishing in the upper half of the league and remaining one of Egypt’s most passionate and historic clubs.
They’re currently placed fifth in the Egyptian Premier League after five wins, five draws, and two defeats. Last season, they finished fourth behind champions Pyramids FC, Al Ahly, and Zamalek. Ahead of facing Amakhosi on Sunday, their last outing was a 0-0 draw against Al-Ahly on 2 November.
THE COACH OF THE EGYPTIAN SIDE
In charge is 55-year-old Tunisian Nabil Kouki, who took over in July. He has one trophy to his name: the Algerian League title with CR Belouizdad in the 2022/23 season. His CV includes several stints with some of Tunisia’s biggest clubs: Club Africain, Étoile Sportive du Sahel, CS Sfaxien, and Stade Tunisien.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The 27-year-old striker, Salah Mohsen, is the Egyptian Premier League’s top goalscorer with five goals in 11 games, but is a big doubt to face Chiefs after picking up a hamstring injury last weekend on international duty with Egypt.
Another player to watch is 26-year-old Algerian attacking midfielder Abderrahim Deghmoum, who has five goals and two assists in the league and CAFCC. Also notable is 22-year-old central midfielder Omar El Saaiy, who has scored four goals so far.
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