A late goal condemned Kaizer Chiefs to a disappointing 2-1 defeat on Sunday. Al Masry secured victory after a crucial blunder by Inacio Miguel. This occurred during matchday one of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Angolan defender fluffed an attempted clearance from a corner kick. Mohamed Hashem pounced on the loose ball immediately afterwards. He prodded the ball into the net past Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen.
The goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent the decisive strike.
The first half in Suez remained goalless between both teams. Masry took the lead in the Group D clash in the 59th minute. Rwandan midfielder Bonheur Mugisha converted a penalty kick successfully.
Petersen had fouled Mahmoud Hamada inside the penalty area. The referee awarded the spot kick without hesitation.
Chiefs levelled the score seven minutes later through defender Dillon Solomons. The Johannesburg-based player scored a rare goal for the South African outfit.
Solomons’ strike gave Chiefs hope of securing a positive result.
Kaizer Chiefs represent the most popular club in South Africa currently. They regularly draw crowds exceeding 90,000 supporters for key fixtures. These massive attendances occur particularly when they face Orlando Pirates.
The Soweto derby between Chiefs and Pirates captivates the nation regularly.
However, Chiefs have struggled to make sustained impact in African competitions. They have found continental success elusive despite their domestic popularity.
The club won the now defunct African Cup Winners’ Cup in 2001. That remains their only major continental trophy to date.
Chiefs came closest to another CAF trophy recently as runners-up. They finished second in the 2020-2021 Champions League competition. However, they could not secure the ultimate continental prize.
Al Masry now lead fellow Egyptian club Zamalek in Group D standings. They hold the advantage on goals scored after matchday one. Zamalek defeated Zambian visitors ZESCO United 1-0 in Cairo earlier.
The White Knights secured three points but scored fewer goals. This gives Masry the early group leadership position. Both Egyptian clubs have made positive starts to their campaigns.
ZESCO United and Kaizer Chiefs occupy the bottom two positions. Both teams will need to improve quickly in upcoming fixtures. The group stage competition promises to remain highly competitive.
