Kaizer Chiefs are out of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup following a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat by Zamalek SC at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Saturday evening.
Arriving in Ismailia two points clear on top of Group D and needing just a draw to reach the quarter-finals, Amakhosi failed what was a test of character to lose the game. The match ended with the Soweto giants praying for Zesco United to beat Al Masry in the other Group D encounter in Alexandria on the same evening.
But Al Masry did themselves a big favour and registered a 2-0 win over Zesco to take up second spot with 10 points, the same as third-placed Chiefs, who have an inferior goal difference.
Zamalek lead the standings to qualify for the quarter-finals with just a point more than Al Masry and Amakhosi.
With Chiefs having arrived in Egypt without the injured central defence duo of Inacio Miguel and Rushwin Dortley, as well as the suspended Aden McCarthy, Zitha Kwinika and Given Msimango were the obvious centre-back pairing.
Midfielder George Matlou made his first start of 2026 as Mduduzi Shabalala and Mfundo Vilakazi started from the bench.
After 21 minutes of play, Glody Lilepo forced a fine save from veteran goalkeeper El Mahdi Soliman with a well-struck freekick in what was Chiefs’ first real threat at goal.
Then shortly after, Brandon Petersen stretched long to make a beautiful save and deny Dabbagh Oday. The Palestinian striker was back, and this time arrived a shade too late to connect into the net an Ahmed Sherif set up.
More frustration came for Zamalek on the stroke of halftime when a well-positioned Oday headed off-target at close range as Petersen looked a beaten man.
CHIEFS CAPITULATE AFTER FRUSTRATING ZAMALEK IN OPENING HALF
Following a valiant first half in which they managed to withstand the home side’s pressure, Chiefs then buckled eight minutes after the restart. Brazilian attacker Juan Alvina beat Thabiso Monyane to the ball and headed home off a cross from Nasser Mansy.
As Chiefs did little to probe their opponents, it was the White Knights who were now in charge of play. It was not surprising when 40-year-old midfielder Abdallah El Said’s strike beat Petersen who never made an effort to save the shot, as Zamalek doubled their lead with 18 minutes to go.
But three minutes late, Lilepo guided the ball into the back of the net with his head from a Lebohang Maboe corner kick delivery to offer Chiefs hopes of a comeback. But the Soweto giants could not get the equaliser.
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