Chiefs edge closer to Confederation Cup quarter-final after hard-fought win over Al Masry

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Chiefs edge closer to Confederation Cup quarter-final after hard-fought win over Al Masry

Kaizer Chiefs hugely boosted their chances of making the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final following a 2-1 win over Egyptian side Al Masry at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.

Chiefs came into matchday five third in Group D but finished the day at the top and with a chance of making the last eight even with a defeat next weekend.

The Glamour Boys went ahead in controversial fashion when the referee awarded them a contested penalty. After 32 minutes, Glody Lilepo fired in a shot which hit Al Masry defender Ahmed Mansour and he was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Replays suggested the defender had his hands behind as the ball hit him but with no VAR until the quarter-final, the decision stood as Al Masry players protested for over five minutes.

Flavio Silva stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for 1-0 in favour of Chiefs after 39 minutes.

Goals and missed chances

Just two minutes later, Al Masry should have equalised when Khaled Sobhi connected well with a cross while unmarked at the back post but he headed directly at Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen.

Just before the break, Chiefs had two opportunities to score the second, Mduduzi Shabalala unleashing a low shot that was saved while Silva beat his markers but could not find the right angle with only the goalkeeper to beat.

After the break, Al Masry increased the tempo and were rewarded with the equaliser 12 minutes upon resumption when Abderrahim Deghmoum reacted quickest to get ahead of the Chiefs defenders and connect home a lovely cross.

That changed the complexion of the game and the group but Amakhosi took just three minutes to restore their one-goal lead. From a freekick, Zitha Kwinika headed towards goal and the ball was pushed back by the goalkeeper only to fall to Aden McCarthy, who poked home from close range for 2-1.

Where does the win leave Chiefs?

Shabalala had another opportunity to score the third for Chiefs and perhaps send his team to the quarter-final but with only the goalkeeper to beat, he could not apply the right finish as the custodian got a hand to his effort.

There was a moment of worry for Chiefs 12 minutes from time when Silva was stretchered off as he was replaced by Khanyisa Mayo.

However, the Soweto giants held on to claim the win which leaves them top of the group with 10 points from five games, now two ahead of Zamalek, who suffered a shock 1-0 loss to ZESCO United on Sunday, and three better than Al Masry.

Chiefs will now head to Cairo to face Zamalek in the final match next weekend in confident mood as Al Masry look to beat ZESCO while hoping for a favourable result from the other game to crash the  party.

<!-- 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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