‘These are the games I came here for’: Maboe on Chiefs-Zamalek tie

“These are the type of games I came here to play. When you sign for a big team, you want to be in hostile environments, where the odds are stacked against you.”

Those were the defiant words of Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe as the Soweto giants arrived in Egypt for a high-stakes TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup showdown against Zamalek SC. With a place in the quarterfinals on the line, Maboe believes the current Amakhosi squad possesses the temperament required for the “do-or-die” atmosphere awaiting them in Ismailia.

“Once you step onto the pitch, the crowd doesn’t matter,” Maboe added. “What matters is focusing on your job and putting the team through. We’ll need one another, we’ll need to pull in the same direction, but we’ve got strong leaders and a strong team. If we work together, I don’t see us not qualifying.”

The Great Egyptian Equation For Maboe and Chiefs

Chiefs enter the final Group D fixture as leaders with 10 points, followed by Zamalek on eight and Al Masry on seven. The permutations are simple but the task is massive. A draw or a win guarantees Chiefs progress as group winners. A defeat leaves them vulnerable to the results of the chasing pack.

Co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef have overseen a remarkable turnaround in the group stages, winning three consecutive matches after a shaky start. However, the ghosts of North Africa loom large; Chiefs have never won a competitive match in Egypt in four previous attempts.

Navigating the ‘Hostile Environment’

The Glamour Boys are returning to the Suez Canal Stadium for the first time since 2001. While Maboe acknowledges the difficulty of facing the White Knights in their own backyard, he insists the players are mentally prepared.

“We know it’s going to be very difficult. It’s not going to come easy,” he admitted. “But as players, we’ve spoken among ourselves and we understand what needs to be done to make sure the team goes to the next round. That’s our main focus right now.”

A key factor for Chiefs will be their efficiency in front of goal. In their previous meeting in Polokwane, it took a stoppage-time own goal to rescue a 1-1 draw against the Egyptians. This time, Maboe points to the improvement in the frontline, led by the likes of Glody Lilepo—who has three goals in the competition—and Flavio Da Silva.

“The most important thing is that we are creating chances,” noted Maboe. “Credit must go to our frontline players for getting into those positions. It shows we’re doing something right. Of course, it would be better with a higher conversion rate, but the players are working hard to make sure we start finishing.”

Overcoming the Weight of History

To progress, Amakhosi must rewrite a script that has traditionally favored North African opposition. Historically, Chiefs have struggled against Egyptian giants, managing just two wins and two draws in nine previous meetings, while suffering five losses. Their record on Egyptian soil is even more daunting; in four visits, they have yet to register a victory, returning with three defeats and a solitary draw.

In fact, their last taste of success against the White Knights dates back to May 16, 1993, when Lucas Radebe and Eric September secured a 2-1 win at the FNB Stadium. However, the current squad arrives with a different momentum. Having won their last three Group D matches in succession, the Glamour Boys are in their best continental form in decades, and last weekend’s victory over Al Masry has provided the psychological blueprint needed to finally conquer the Egyptian hoodoo.

Despite the daunting history, Amakhosi’s 2-1 win over Al Masry last weekend ended a seven-game winless run against Egyptian opposition, providing a much-needed psychological boost before boarding the flight to Cairo.

Chiefs will be without the suspended Aden McCarthy, but with Zitha Kwinika and Inacio Miguel expected to anchor the defense, the mission is clear: survive Ismailia and secure a third-ever appearance in a CAF competition quarterfinal.