Kaizer Chiefs defender Zitha Kwinika has disclosed the lessons learned from their CAF Confederation Cup group stage opener against Al Masry, which they can use to overcome the Egyptian side Zamalek SC this weekend.
Amakhosi are scheduled to lock horns with Zamalek SC for the first time in 32 years at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday, 29 November. The match will kick off at 15:00.
Chiefs and Zamalek first faced each other in the second round of the CAF Champions League in 1993. In the first leg match played at FNB Stadium, Amakhosi secured a 2-1 victory. Zamalek triumphed in the second leg 1-0 in Egypt, advancing to the next round based on the away goals rule, with the overall score tied at 2-2.
The Soweto giants started their Group D journey on the wrong foot following their 2-1 away defeat to Masry, whereas Zamalek began their campaign with a 1-0 home victory over Zesco United from Zambia.
Currently, the Glamour Boys are placed third in Group D with nothing to show for it, while Zamalek are in second position with three points. Both teams have played one game.
WHAT KAIZER CHIEFS PICKED UP IN Al MASRY MATCH
The 31-year-old Kwinika believes Zamalek will employ a strategy similar to the one used by Al Masry. He stressed that the team is prepared to apply the lessons learned from their last encounter to secure a positive result against the Egyptian opponents.
“I think it is probably for the same purpose and of the same type of game. Last week, we saw how [the Egyptians] play, which is more or less the same thing,” said Kwinika.
“We observed what they do best, talking about the delaying tactic. I think we learned that, and we are ready for this weekend’s game.
“But at the end of the day, we are Kaizer Chiefs, a big team, just like Zamalek. We will give them the respect they deserve. However, we will have to do the job we need to do in the game. We are up for it.”
RELATED STORY: ‘No excuses’; Zitha Kwinika on Chiefs’ intentions against Zamalek