Kaizer Chiefs vs ZESCO: Why Zambian giants are not happy with Moses Mabhida pitch

Kaizer Chiefs’ opponents ZESCO United have raised concerns over the state of the pitch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium where the two sides will clash in the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday.

Chiefs host the nine-time Zambian champions in Durban on Sunday afternoon, looking for another three points after winning 1-0 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola last Sunday.

While both teams are preparing for the high stakes clash, ZESCO are not particularly happy with the playing surface at the match venue.

What is wrong with Moses Mabhida pitch?

“[The pitch is] very hard. The grass is soft but the base is hard,” the ZESCO team doctor told SABC’s Velile Mnyandu. “For the ball to move quickly, it is okay.”

The team doctor then delved deeper into why he is a little bit worried about the playing surface for Sunday’s match.

“The [grass at] Levy Mwanawasa is thick. This [Moses Mabhida Stadium] is about two centimetres…you know I am a team doctor so the players will get more tired,” he further stated.

ZESCO starring at early elimination

ZESCO will have to worry less about the thickness of the grass or how hard the base is as they badly need three points otherwise, they could be eliminated from the competition early.

The Zambian giants have zero points from three games and a loss on Sunday will all but end their quest for a place in the quarter-final as Chiefs would have seven points, same as Al Masry, who play Zamalek later on Sunday, while the Maximum ZESCO would be guaranteed would be six points.

Chiefs come into the match high on confidence after a three-game winning run in 2026, a period in which they have scored three goals without conceding.