CAF Confederation Cup: Solomons scores beauty but Chiefs lose in Egypt

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CAF Confederation Cup: Solomons scores beauty but Chiefs lose in Egypt

Dillan Solomons scored a great goal but it was not enough as Kaizer Chiefs started their CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign with a 2-1 loss away to Al Masry.

Solomons went on a solo run before slotting past the Al Masry goalkeeper to draw Chiefs level after 66 minutes after the Egyptian side had gone ahead through a penalty scored seven minutes earlier. However, Chiefs’ defensive mistake late in the game saw the home side collect all three points.

The game had few chances with Al Masry testing Brandon Petersen in the Chiefs goal after seven minutes before he went down to keep the effort out, and two minutes later, Solomons went on a good run but fired wide from long range.

That led to a goalless first half but there was a lot to talk about after the break, starting with Petersen’s great save in the 48th minute.

Solomons’ beauty draws Chiefs level

However, in the 59th minute, a ball lofted in the Chiefs box saw Mahmoud Hamada latch onto it after beating Sibongiseni Mthethwa for pace but Petersen brought him down when he went for the ball and missed, the referee pointing to the spot.

Rwandan midfielder Bonheur Mugisha stepped up and slotted low past Petersen, who had dived the right way, to give the hosts the lead.

However, their lead lasted seven minutes before Chiefs drew level and it was a thing of beauty. Solomons received the ball on the right wing from Mfundo Vilakazi and he weaved his way up to the edge of the box where he fired home past a forest of legs to give Chiefs the equaliser.

How did Amakhosi lose the game?

Both sides had chances to add onto their tally but did not until the 87th minute when Chiefs went to sleep and got punished.

From a corner, Chiefs defenders missed the ball which bounced dangerously in the box while Miguel Inacio’s attempt to clear it was not fruitful and defender Mohamed Hashem reacted quickly to poke it home and give Al Masry all three points.

It was a disappointing end to the game for Chiefs, whose display deserved at least a point, and they will now have to win their home match against two-time winners of the competition Zamalek in Polokwane on Saturday November 29. 

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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