Kaizer Chiefs will play their second Group D match of the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup against Egyptian giants, Zamalek this afternoon at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

The two teams began their group stage campaigns with contrasting results, in that Amakhosi suffered a 2-1 defeat to another Egyptian side, Al Masry, in Suez last Sunday, while Zamalek claimed a 1-0 home victory over Zesco United in Cairo.

This afternoon’s clash promises fireworks, with Chiefs determined to secure their first win of this year’s competition and Zamalek, who arrived in Polokwane on Wednesday, eager to collect valuable points away from home.

Chiefs are boosted by the return of Gaston Sirino who missed the previous match through suspension.

The are two changes to the team that started on Sunday as Chiefs look for an early goal and, ultimately, the three points.

Sirino starts ahead of Ashley Du Preez, and Lebohang Maboe gets his first start since he joined Chiefs, coming in for Mfundo Vilakazi.

The coaches have elected to go for a 3-4-3 formation

Brandon Petersen keeps his spot as the number one.

Just as last weekend, Bradley Cross plays on the left, withInacio Miguel in the centre and Zitha Kwinika on the right of Amakhosi’s back-three.

In midfield, Sibongiseni ‘Ox’ Mthethwa will work be joined by the experienced Mabo in the dual holding roles. Last weekend’s goal scorer, Dillan Solomons will be wide on the right and Pule Mmodi keep his place on the left.

Mduduzi Shabalala is the left winger and Sirino will be on the right flank.

Etiosa Ighodaro is the target man up front.

The refereeing team is led by whistleblower Samuel Uwikunda. He will be assisted by Dieudonne Mutuyimana and Didier Ishimwe. The fourth official is Rurisa Patience Fidele. They all come from Rwanda.

The CAF Confederation Cup group D match between Kaizer Chiefs and Zamalek will kick off at 15:00 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane. The match will be live on SABC 2, SuperSport’s Channel 209 on DStv and various SABC radio stations. There will be regular updates on the Club’s X (formerly known as Twitter) account, @kaizerchiefs.

Chiefs XI:  Petersen © (1), Cross (27), Miguel (14), Kwinika (4), Solomons (18), Mthethwa (5), Maboe (6), Shabalala (7), Sirino (10), Mmodi (13), Ighodaro (40)

Subs: Bvuma (16); Monyane (2), Mako (29), Msimango (25), Matlou (22), Ngcobo (12), Vilakazi (28), Velebayi (17), Da Silva (32)

Coaches: Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze

Zamalek XI: Sobhy Mohamed (16); Mohmed Kotb (24), Mohamed Abo Elfetouh Mohamed (13), Abdelmegeed Abdelsalam (5), Mahmoud Sayed Gaber Abo Elhamaed (22), Concalves Sacalumbo (32), Mohamed Shehata Mohmoud (17), Alvina Bezerra (33), Jaziri (30) 

Subs: Mahmoud Badawy (35); Mahmoud Bentayg (3), Mahmoud Roweidy (6), Farouk Foad Gaafar (7), Adam Hamza Kaied (18), Abdel Hamid Maali (23), Oday Mohamed Dabbagh (27), Ahmed Kamal (31), Baron Ochieng (38)

Coach: Ahmed Amil Abdelfaouf