CAF Confederation Cup: Kaizer Chiefs avoid Stellenbosch but land in ‘Group of Death’

Kaizer Chiefs landed a tough draw in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages when they were paired with Egyptian giants Zamalek in the draw conducted in Johannesburg on Monday.

Chiefs, who are among the big clubs in the competition, will have to do it the hard way after getting Zamalek, two-time Confederation Cup winners, who were knocked out by Stellenbosch FC in the quarter-final last season.

In what is considered the ‘Group of Death’, Chiefs will also play Egyptian club Al Masry as well as Zambian giants Zesco United.

Can Chiefs get past Group of Death?

The Glamour Boys will therefore prepare for two tough trips to Egypt as well as another one to Zambia as they look to be among the top two teams that will qualify from Group D and make it to the quarter-final.

Zamalek had a poor 2024-25 Confederation Cup campaign by their standards, when they lost out to Stellies in the last eight, and will want to get it right as they look to win the title for the third time, following their victories in 2019 and 2024.

The Egyptian giants pose the biggest danger in Group D as they are also five-time CAF Champions League winners and one of the biggest clubs in Africa.

Gaston Sirino Flavio Silva and Mduduzi Shabalala Kaizer Chiefs

Meanwhile, Al Masry, one of the oldest Egyptian clubs, will provide a tricky test as they return to the group stages since 2022 while Zesco, nine-time Zambian champions, are back to the Confederation Cup group stages since 2019.

Stellies get ‘favourable’ group stage draw

Zesco’s best performance in the competition was a quarter-final in 2017 but have players with extensive experience on the continent.

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa challenges for the ball with Devin Titus of Stellenbosch. Photo - Kaizer Chiefs — Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa challenges for the ball with Devin Titus of Stellenbosch. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs

Chiefs last played continental football in the 2020-21 season, when they reached the Champions League final and lost to Egyptian giants Al Ahly, but are looking to navigate their way past the tough group after four years in the cold.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch FC, last season’s semi-finalists, landed in Group C that has Algerian side CR Belouizdad, coached by ex-S Galaxy boss Sead Ramovic, AS Otoho from Congo Brazzaville and Singida Black Stars from Tanzania.