Late goal sinks Chiefs in CAF Confederation Cup opener

Kaizer Chiefs suffered a devastating start to their CAF Confederation Cup Group D campaign, falling to a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat against Al Masry at the New Suez Stadium on Sunday night.

The two goals conceded by Chiefs were largely attributed to costly defensive lapses.

The Glamour Boys had hoped to secure a win and kick off their campaign on a positive note. Despite absorbing significant pressure throughout the match and creating chances of their own, Chiefs will be profoundly disappointed to return home empty-handed.

Al Masry Dominate Early Chances

The game began with high intensity as both sides looked for an early breakthrough. Al Masry immediately tested Chiefs’ defence, and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen was called into action just two minutes in, pulling off a save to deny Abderrahim Deghmoum. Petersen was alert again in the 7th minute, using his leg to deny Kingsley Eduwo.

PSL giants Chiefs carved out a promising opportunity mid-way through the half when Dillan Solomons embarked on a fast solo run from defence into the opposition’s half, though his resulting shot flashed wide of the post.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, with multiple penalty shouts turned away in the first half—one when Bradley Cross made a crucial block near the 20th minute, and another just before halftime after Sibongiseni Mthethwa challenged an Al Masry player inside the box.

Penalty Drama and Solomons’ Instant Reply For Chiefs

The intensity escalated in the second half, with Petersen forced into immediate action, saving a header from Mounder Temine in the 46th minute, followed quickly by a brilliant stop from a long-range effort by Deghmoum.

The breakthrough finally came in the 56th minute. Al Masry was awarded a penalty after Petersen fouled Mahmoud Hamada in the box. Bonheur Mugisha stepped up and made no mistake, converting the spot-kick into the bottom right corner in the 59th minute, handing Al Masry the lead.

However, the lead was short-lived. Just minutes later, Dillan Solomons replicated his earlier fast break, dancing past defenders before finding the bottom right corner with a left-footed shot to level the scores instantly.

The equaliser seemed to rattle the hosts, allowing Chiefs to momentarily seize the initiative. Substitute Mfundo Vilakazi added pace and nearly put Chiefs ahead, cutting inside to unleash a curler that went agonizingly wide in the 72nd minute.

Late Defensive Error Proves Costly

As the match entered its final stages, disaster struck for the visitors. In the 87th minute, a crucial defensive error from defender Inacio Miguel following a corner allowed Mohamed Hashem to pounce from close range, slotting home the winner for Al Masry.

Chiefs pushed desperately for a second immediate equaliser, with Lebohang Maboe seeing his effort go wide, but the hosts held firm to secure the 2-1 victory, leaving Chiefs to reflect on a difficult start to their continental journey.