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Why Kaizer Chiefs face tough task in their Confederation Cup clash with Red Arrows

Kaizer Chiefs have found Zambian opposition tough in the past
Kaizer Chiefs have found Zambian opposition tough in the pastKaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs will face Zambian side Red Arrows in the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup next month, a tricky tie given the history of meetings between clubs from the two countries.

It will be the fourth time Chiefs have met Zambian opposition in continental competition, and until recently they found the going tough.

The Amakhosi were knocked out of the CAF Cup by Nchanga Rangers in 2000 as they lost 2-0 at home and drew 0-0 away.

ZESCO United then ousted the Soweto side from the 2018/19 Confederation Cup as Chiefs lost both legs, 3-1 away and 2-1 at home.

They got revenge for that defeat, though, by claiming a pair of 1-0 wins over the same ZESCO side in the group stages of the Confederation Cup last season.

But the overall record of two wins in six previous meetings shows the difficulties they have had.

It is not only Chiefs who have struggled against Zambian clubs. Mamelodi Sundowns have won only one of their previous six clashes (D3 L2) with teams from the Southern African nation.

Pirates were ousted from the CAF Champions League by Green Eagles in 2019/20 in a shock result.

In the 24 previous meetings between South African and Zambian clubs, there have been only eight wins for the South African sides, to go with 10 draws and six defeats.

In the Confederation Cup there have been eight clashes, with two wins apiece and four draws.

This will be the first meeting between Red Arrows and a South African club.

Nick Said has been covering African sport for almost three decades, specialising in football, rugby and cricket. He is based in Cape Town, South Africa and you can follow him on X and LinkedIn.