Kaizer Jr outlines Chiefs’ plans to become Champions League regulars

Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr has opened up about the club’s plan to conquer Africa and remain a permanent fixture in continental football.

Chiefs have made a return to continental football this season, since their CAF Champions League loss in 2021, but they are playing in the second tier CAF Confederation Cup courtesy of their Nedbank Cup win last term.

The Glamour Boys are in the group stages, where they have Egyptian giants Zamalek, Al Masry, also from Egypt, and Zesco United of Zambia, and Motaung Jr feels this is the right platform to start building for sustained continental success in the near future.

Motaung Jr keen to win Confederation Cup

Bobby Motaung and Kaizer Motaung Jr. Kaizer Chiefs

“We knew that last year, we wanted to get back in Africa, we were able to do so – and we know our goals that are set up for next year,” Motaung Jr told iDiski Times. “So of course, we’re looking to make sure we get to the next stage which is the knockout phase.”

“We have to take it step by step and progress as far as you can. This team needs to play to win, the supporters are expectant of us to succeed, so we go into it, and give it everything we can, because we want to give our supporters as much joy and success as possible.”

However, while they look to win the Confederation Cup, the Champions League remains Chiefs’ Holy Grail and the sporting director feels they have started putting together the building blocks for a strong team that will be regulars in the biggest club competition in Africa.

Chiefs boss has big continental ambitions

In South Africa, only Orlando Pirates (1995) and Mamelodi Sundowns (2016) have won the Champions League and Chiefs are keen to join them in the prestigious club.

“A team of our size wants to be in the Champions League… we have not been in Africa for a while and I think the Confederation Cup is a very welcome step for our progression from last season,” he added.

“Of course we want to be in the Champions League, fight amongst the best, be amongst the best and I think the star is something, as a big club, you need to have – that’s a long-term objective and we pushing as best we can to make sure we do that. Chiefs need to be on the biggest stage and we have to make sure we do the best we can.”