Zamalek SC has thrown a curveball at Kaizer Chiefs with two major changes to the final CAF Confederation Cup Group D decider this weekend. The changes come at a critical time as the race for the knockout stages reaches its boiling point.
The Cairo giants have moved the high-stakes encounter, impacting both the timing and location of the match. The match will now be played on Saturday, February 14, 2026, instead of the originally scheduled Sunday. And the game has been moved from the Al-Salam Stadium to the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia.
The relocation to Ismailia, roughly 115 km from Cairo, and the earlier kick-off date create a logistical hurdle for the Soweto giants. It means Chiefs, who would have played 11 games in a space of 40 days, must depart South Africa earlier than planned to acclimatise.
Moving the game forward by 24 hours will cut down their recovery and tactical preparation time, especially following their recent exit from the Nedbank Cup.
Over the weekend, Chiefs’ co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef warned that the heavy workload was sabotaging their CAF Confederation Cup campaign. He mentioned that the team had not held any training sessions for two to three weeks due to fixture congestion and travel commitments.
CHIEFS NEED A DRAW AGAINST ZAMALEK
Ben Youssef noted a significant risk of player injury, which is why rotations were introduced.
“I think Kaizer Chiefs is representing South Africa, so we have to think about the team… If you [PSL] want to improve and see us win, you have to help us.
“I mean, some teams in May played their last five or six games, but this season we have played 15 games… In all the countries I have worked in, when you play CAF games, it is allowed for you to change the fixtures.”
Amakhosi currently sit in a strong position, but the margin for error is slim. They need only a draw in Ismailia to finish as group leaders. However, a loss would see Zamalek leapfrog them into first place. Meanwhile, Al Masry [7 points] is still lurking and could capitalise if the Chiefs fail to pick up a point and the Egyptians beat Zesco United.
After the disappointment of their Nedbank Cup exit, reaching the Last Eight of the CAF Confederation Cup is now the primary focus for Amakhosi.