Millions Kaizer Chiefs will miss after Confederation Cup elimination

Kaizer Chiefs’ elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup will not just see them miss out on the prestigious trophy but also a bumper cash reward.

Chiefs were bundled out after losing 2-1 away to Zamalek to finish third in their group and will now have to watch from a distance as the rest compete.

The Glamour Boys made it to the group stages, pocketing $400,000 (R6.37 million) which has come in handy during their run, especially in their travels to Egypt twice and Zambia.

However, their hopes of making more were extinguished following their defeat on matchday six as they ended the group stage with 10 points, same as Al Masry, but with an inferior head-to-head record.

How much will Kaizer Chiefs miss out on?

After failing to get the draw that they needed to seal a place in the quarter-final, Chiefs will now miss out on the $550,000 (R8.77 million) reward that will go to each of the eight teams that made it to the quarter-final.

This is a tidy sum that would have boosted the club’s coffers given their bloated squad that sees them have one of the biggest wage bills in the PSL.

Chiefs’ run promised so much especially after three straight wins against ZESCO United, home and away, as well as the home victory over Al Masry, but will now have to pick the painful lessons as they look to qualify again for next season’s competition or the Champions League.

What Amakhosi need to qualify for CAF

To do that, Chiefs will need to ensure they finish in the top three given the top two PSL sides will secure Champions League qualification while the third-placed team will nick the automatic Confederation Cup slot.

There is a possibility of the fourth-placed team sealing the other Confederation Cup ticket but that will depend on who wins the Nedbank Cup and with Chiefs out of the competition, they can only be safe with a podium finish.

The Soweto giants are currently fourth on the PSL standings with 30 points from 15 matches, eight behind leaders Orlando Pirates, who have played 16, and two adrift of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns and third-placed Sekhukhune United, but AmaZulu, also on 30 points, and Durban City, 28 points, are breathing down their necks.