Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Nov 29, 2025.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1
(Sobhy o.g. 90+6’)
Zamalek (1) 1
(Jaziri 3’)
2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, Group D
New Peter Mokaba stadium, Polokwane
A fortuitous own goal deep into stoppage time earned Kaizer Chiefs a deserved 1-1 draw against Zamalek in their TotlaEnergies CAF Confederation up Group D encounter at the New Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane on Saturday afternoon.
The Egyptian visitors had led from the third minute through Seifeddine Jaziri but Chiefs’ determination to fight to the last was rewarded in the 6th minute of referee’s added time when Zamalek goalkeeper, Mohammed Sobhy allowed a Dillan Solomons cross to slip through his grasp into the net for a dramatic, though warranted, equaliser.
Perplexingly, Amakhosi looked tentative from the start and fell behind after berley two minutes of play. With Brandon Petersen already having had a scare moments earlier, Bradley Cross fouled Zamalek winger, Juan Bererra deep in the left hand corner of the Chiefs half. Chiefs only half-cleared the resulting free kick and when the ball fell to Jazriri, the experienced Tunisia striker kept his composure to steer the ball into the net.
Three minutes later, Gaston Sirino was desperately unlucky not to succeed with what surely would have been the goal of the season, striking an outrageously audacious lob from almost 50 yards out that rebounded back off the post, with Zamalek ‘keeper, Mohammed Sobhy beaten.
Amakhosi were then fortunate not to concede a second in the 9th minute when Jaziri had the ball in the net after pouncing on an under-hit header from Inacio Miguel to Petersen. However, the Angolan defender got a reprieve when the referee spotted a nudge on him by Jaziri in the build up.
Gradually, the hosts worked their way into the game and, although the play moved further up the itch, the five-man Zamalek defence were able to keep the Chiefs attacking attempts at bay. Chiefs’ first effort with real threat came in the 36th minute from Lebohang Moboe, who saw his 25 yard shot fizz past Sobhi’s upright. Shortly before halftime, Mfundo Vilakazi, an early substitute for the injured Sirino, cut inside from the right wing and forced a save from Sobhy following a lightning fast counter attack.
The first half concluded with Chiefs beginning to establish ascendency, despite trailing 1-0 on the score board.
The home team came out with the intent of striking early and almost pulled it off in the 47th minute when Etiosa Ighodaro’s header was deflected wide for a corner.
With Zamalek content to sit on their lead and invite Chiefs to break them down, they were virtually anonymous as an offensive threat, although on the rare occasions that they did attack, much credit must go to Petersen for his brave and agile goalkeeping that did as much as anyone to keep Chiefs in the contest, making numerous saves when called upon.
It was to prove crucial in the dying embers of the game when Vilakazi fed Solomons, who drove down the inside right channel and floated a dangerous ball toward the far post the Sobhy somehow managed to fumble over his own goa line. The entire crowd, as well as the chiefs bench were off their feet in delight as the match was saved and leaves Amakhosi in a much more favourable position in the group than had they lost.
The competition resumes in January 2026 when Chiefs pay Zambian side, Zesco United but their more immediate attention will be their return to Betway Premiership action on Wednesday evening against Chippa United in Gqeberha.
Line-ups
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen © (1), Cross (27) (Mako (29) 14’), Miguel (14), Kwinika (4), Solomons (18), Mthethwa (5) (Ngcobo (12) 73’), Maboe (6), Shabalala (7), Sirino (10) (Vilakazi (28) 18’), Mmodi (13) (Velebayi (17) 46’), Ighodaro (40) (Da Silva (32) 73’)
Subs not used: Bvuma (16); Monyane (2), Msimango (25), Matlou (22)
Coaches: Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze
Zamalek: Sobhy Mohamed (16); Mohmed Kotb (24) (Mahmoud Bentayg (3) 76’), Mohamed Abo Elfetouh Mohamed (13), Abdelmegeed Abdelsalam (5), Mahmoud Sayed Gaber Abo Elhamaed (22)( Ahmed Kamal (31) 88’), Concalves Sacalumbo (32), Mohamed Shehata Mohmoud (17), Alvina Bezerra (33) (Adam Hamza Kaied (18) 88’), Jaziri (30) (Oday Mohamed Dabbagh (27) 57’)
Subs not used: Mahmoud Badawy (35); Mahmoud Roweidy (6), Farouk Foad Gaafar (7), Abdel Hamid Maali (23), Baron Ochieng (38)
Coach: Ahmed Amil Abdelfaouf
