Kaizer Chiefs (RSA) (0) 1
(Cross 66’)

Red Arrows (Zam) (0) 0

(Aggregate 1-1)
Red Arrows win 3-2 on penalties

CAF Confederation Cup, Second Preliminary Round, 2^nd Leg (23.10.26)
Moses Mabhida stadium, Durban

Kaizer Chiefs were agonisingly eliminated from the qualifying stages of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup 3-2 on penalties despite beating Red Arrows of Zambia 1-0 in the second leg of the second preliminary round to leave the aggregate scores level at 1-1.

A superb Bradley Cross header midway through the second half restored parity in the tie yet notwithstanding a glut of presentable opportunities, Amakhosi could not land the killer blow that would have taken them through to the group stage.

Chiefs came out like a team that knew what was at stake and went on the attack for an early goal from the start, Pule Mmodi forcing a corner inside the first minute. Amakhosi held a dominant position high up the field, pressing Red Arrows into their own half and moving the ball laterally to try to open up space, with the visitors crowding the edge of their penalty area, and Mmodi on the left and Reeve Frosler on the right wing looked threatening in a half that was more a physical battle than a showpiece, as Red Arrows attempted to disrupt the flow of the Amakhosi side.

Thulani Mabaso came closest in the 12^th minute with a shot that was saved but clear chances were rare with most of the play happening in the middle third.

As the half settled, Chiefs became slightly more circumspect, still probing for the all-important goal but mindful not to concede an away goal that would leave them needing to score three times and give them a mountain to climb. Apart from one or two anxious moments, The Chiefs defence was not troubled and late in the half they made a couple of half-chances when Wandile Duba had a penalty shout waved away after he went down in the box in the 36^th minute and three minutes from the break, Frosler broke down the right wing and crossed for Mmodi at the far post, whose header lacked the power to beat the goalkeeper and the team went into halftime at 0-0.

Chiefs ramped up the pressure in the second half, with Faiz Abrahams firing over in the 47^th minute and Mmodi almost slipping Duba clean through a minute later. Mmodi curled a shot wide of the mark in the 52^nd minute as the pressure mounted on the Red Arrows defence.

It finally cracked in the 66^th minute when substitute, Mfundo Vilakazi flighted a perfectly weighted free kick into a dangerous area for Bradley cross to beat his marker and guide the ball inside the far post with precision. Moments later, he was back performing his primary role with a last ditch clearance inside his six-yard box.

Mduduzi Shabalala had two very good late chances to score what would almost certainly have been the winner but he blazed over the bar from inside the box in the 79^th minute after a brilliant run down the right wing by Vilakazi to set him up, and five minutes later was sent clean through on goal by another sub, Ethan Chislett but shot straight at the goalkeeper. Asanale Velebayi, also off the bench also squandered a decent chance when he missed the target with what was their last chance of the game.

In the shootout, Shabalala and Vilakazi converted while Lebohang Maboe and Chislett both hit the crossbar and Frosler’s kick was saved. Bruce Bvuma did save the first Red Arrows spot kick but could not repeat the feat.

Line ups

Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (40); Miguel © (14), Moloisane (19), Frosler (39), Cross (27), Mthethwa (5), Mabaso (34) (Maboe (6) 73’), Mmodi (13) (Velebayi (17) 84’), Shabalala (7), Abrahams (35) (Vilakazi (28) 58’), Duba (36) (Chislett (23) 84’)

Subs not used: Petersen (1), Kwinika (4), Dortley (24), Nkgwesa (38), Ighodaro (33)

Coach: Fernando Da Cruz

Red Arrows: Kalumba (16); Z. Phiri (2), Kalota (25), Gesimo (13), Mwamba (5), Cedric (4), Diarra (8), Katema (6), Mandanji (20) (Banda (28) 75’), Mumba (7) Kalamba (33) 65’), M. Phiri (11) (Pweto (9) 75’)

Subs not used: Mainza (1); Nickson (26), Chishimba (19), J. Phiri (10), Mubili (26), Yusuf Phiri (34),

Coach: Chisi Mbewe