Kaizer Chiefs have been handed one of the toughest assignments in the CAF Confederation Cup after being drawn alongside Egyptian giants Zamalek and Al Masry, and Zambian powerhouse Zesco United, in what many are already calling the “Group of Death.” The draw for the group stages was conducted yesterday in Johannesburg.
The Soweto giants will have to travel twice to Egypt during the group stage, facing two clubs with rich continental pedigrees. Cairo-based Zamalek, twice winners of the Confederation Cup, and Port Said’s Al Masry will pose formidable challenges to Chiefs, who will also contend with regional rivals Zesco United for one of the two quarterfinal spots. The group stages are scheduled to begin at the end of this month.
This draw pits Chiefs against familiar opposition. Amakhosi faced Zamalek as far back as 1993 in the African Cup of Champions Clubs, now the CAF Champions League. Chiefs won 2-1 at home but were eliminated on the away-goals rule after losing 1-0 in Cairo. In more recent memory, Zesco United ended Chiefs’ Confederation Cup hopes in the 2018/19 qualifying round with a 5-2 aggregate win.
Zamalek, among the most successful clubs in African football, enter the competition as clear favourites. The White Knights boast five CAF Champions League titles, although their last came in 2002, and have lifted the Confederation Cup twice, in 2019 and again in 2024. Their experience and quality make them a strong contender to top Group D.
Al Masry have also made their mark on the continental scene, reaching the Confederation Cup semifinals in 2018 and the quarterfinals in 2020 and 2022. Zesco United, on the other hand, qualified for this year’s tournament after winning Zambia’s ABSA Cup last season and edging Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy 5-4 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.
For Chiefs, the challenge is significant but not insurmountable. The club has struggled for consistency in recent continental campaigns but will look to use this opportunity to reassert their standing among Africa’s elite. Their ability to handle the demanding travel schedule and the tactical variety of their opponents will be key to progressing from this group.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s other representatives, Stellenbosch FC, were drawn in Group C with Algerian side CR Belouizdad, AS Otoho of Congo-Brazzaville, and Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars. Stellenbosch, semi-finalists in last year’s Confederation Cup, will aim to replicate their strong run in this campaign.
As the Confederation Cup group stages prepare to kick off later this month, Kaizer Chiefs find themselves in the spotlight once again, drawn into a group that promises high stakes, long journeys, and fierce competition, a true test of their continental ambitions.
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