Kaizer Chiefs may have fallen narrowly to Al Masry in their CAF Confederation Cup group stage opener on Sunday evening, but head coach Khalil Ben Youssef believes the performance at the Suez Stadium offered enough encouraging signs to build on as the campaign continues.

Amakhosi were edged 2–1 in a tight contest in Egypt, a result that left the dressing room feeling frustrated, yet far from defeated. Speaking after the match, the coach highlighted the importance of learning quickly in a competition that demands absolute focus.

“This was the first time that more than 80 percent of our players experienced this level of continental football,” he said. “It’s very different from the PSL. Here you must be more focused, more aggressive. At this level, matches are decided by very small details. If you lose concentration for even one second, you can concede.”

Despite the disappointment, Coach Ben Youssef was proud of the team’s effort and believes Chiefs were unfortunate not to leave with at least a point.

“Looking at our performance, we deserved a minimum of a draw,” he explained. “But we have to learn from our mistakes. We’ll analyse the game, look at the positives and the negatives, and continue to work.”

The focus now shifts to a massive home fixture against Egyptian giants Zamalek SC. It’s a match that could prove decisive in shaping Chiefs’ group stage journey.

Coach Ben Youssef is under no illusions about the size of the task ahead. “Zamalek are one of the best teams in Africa with huge experience in continental competition. It will be a tough game, but if we want to qualify, we cannot afford any mistakes at home. We need to win our home matches and collect more points away,” he insisted.

The coach believes that returning to familiar territory in Polokwane provides the perfect platform to respond. “We know our fans, we know the stadium, and we know it will be full,” he said. “Their support means everything. I hope next weekend we’ll win and put ourselves in a better position in the group.”

While the defeat in Suez stings, the mood in the Chiefs camp remains determined and positive. The team has taken valuable lessons from their opening continental outing and will channel that experience into the upcoming clash.